Summary of original application. 

The ABR Project is the first major redevelopment initiative identified in the Dublin Port Masterplan 2040. Planning permission for the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) (Case Reference PA29N.PA0034) was granted for a 10-year planning permission in 2015. 

The ABR Project comprised three principal components:  

• Re-engineering of infrastructure in and around Alexandra Basin to provide new deeper berths capable of accommodating a range of vessel types, including Ro-Ro, Lo-Lo, dry bulk, general cargo and cruise ships.  

• Construction of a new river berth for Ro-Ro vessels and the removal of two existing Ro-Ro berths, enabling ferry operators to deploy larger ships in the long term. 

• Deepening of the Port’s entrance channel to allow deeper draught vessels of all types to safely access Dublin Port.  

The 10-year construction period enabled significant infrastructure to be completed, transforming Alexandra Basin West into a key Dublin Port operating hub. The works completed within Alexandra Basin West comprise: 

• Construction of new quays and a Ro-Ro Freight Jetty; 

• Dismantling of redundant infrastructure and removal of infill material; 

• Replacement of ore concentrates loading facilities; 

• Completion of the first phase of capital dredging including remediation of contamination on the bed of the ABW basin towards achieving the specified depths of -10m Chart Datum (CD) at the new berths; and 

• Closure and Infilling of Graving Dock No. 2 with treated dredged material in accordance with the Conditions of an Industrial Emissions Licence (P1002-02) granted by the EPA 

Capital Dredging of Dublin Port’s navigation channel and fairway, comprising uncontaminated sediments suitable for disposal at sea was also completed, deepening the main navigation channel to -10m Chart Datum (CD) as permitted by the ABR Project Foreshore Licence (FS005699) and Dumping at Sea Permit (S0024-01). 

All piling and dumping at sea activities, permitted by the ABR Project consents have therefore been completed. 

Although substantial works have been completed and the ABR Project is significantly advanced, the construction programme experienced unavoidable delays. These delays were associated with the need to secure additional consents, procurement challenges and the impact of COVID-19. As a result, the remaining elements of the project could not be completed within the 10-year planning permission period. 

The components of the permitted ABR Project that remain uncomplete are:  

• Works to the North Wall Quay Extension, including new berths suitable for cruise ships and a marina protection wall on the southern side of the river channel;  

• Excavation and restoration of historic Graving Dock No.1;  

• Dredging of contaminated material within the redeveloped Alexandra Basin, followed by appropriate treatment; and  
• Demolition of existing berths and associated infrastructure within the Terminal 5 Ro-Ro basin, together with infilling of the basin and raising of yard levels at Terminal 5. 

Short Planning history. (including S146b application) 

DPC undertook a public consultation from October 2019 to January 2020 on the proposed North Wall Quay Extension and the creation of new berths for cruise vessels. Following a detailed economic assessment and review of the consultation feedback, DPC decided not to proceed with the North Wall Quay Extension as previously permitted under the ABR Project. Instead, DPC indicated that it would  continue to accommodate certain sized cruise ships at existing multipurpose berths within the port, most notably Berth 18. With the absence of suitable infrastructure and the intensification of activity in the common user area, larger cruise ships are being accommodated off Dun Laoghaire, with passengers being tendered to shore.  

DPC also explored alternative design options for the North Wall Quay Extension to support the Masterplan objective of reintegrating Dublin Port with the wider city. This objective is being progressed separately through the Liffey/Tolka Public Realm project, for which Phase 1 works are now underway. 

ACP has approved an alteration to the ABR Project permission to formally remove the North Wall Quay Extension, the associated cruise berthing works, and related elements. 

Community Gain and ABR 

The original permission included for a community gain proposal which included for the following: 

1. DPC to transfer its ownership over aportionof Bull Island to DCC to hold in perpetuity for the people of Dublin. This will secure the preservation of Bull Island for future generations of Dubliners and encourage the development of the strategic vision for Bull Island being advanced by DCC at present. A unified ownership structure for Bull Island is intended to facilitate proper management of the resource by the City Council. DPC maintained rights of access to the North Bull Wall to facilitate maintenance on essential ship navigation assets such as the North Bull Lighthouse.  
2. In addition as part of the Community Gain proposal, DPCallocateda sum of €200,000 towards the costs of a feasibility study for a proposed International Visitor Centre and a masterplan for Bull Island following the conclusion of the study. The study and masterplan were to  be prepared by DCC with participation and support from DPC and other stakeholders. The feasibility study is to examine: 

• How any new proposals for Bull Island can take place in a way that protects and supports the UNESCO Biosphere designation and the precious natural resource that Bull Island represents  

• Current and possible future recreational uses on Bull Island  

• An assessment of the potential for an international visitor interpretive centre  

• Examples of similar locations internationally  

iii. DPC also allocated a further sum to DCC of €1,000,000 towards the provision of any services or facilities identified as a consequence of the study and masterplan. This sum was paid by DPC  to  DCC. 

1. All of these sums will be in addition to the current community-based initiatives and special projects that DPC is undertaking 

The Community Gain element of the ABR Project have been fully implemented, even though the Project has not been completed in full and is ultimately being developed to a reduced scale.