Since the original permission was granted in 2015, new and updated national and regional policies have been made and the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 is now in place, which recognise the importance of ports in enabling economic prosperity and international connectivity in terms of trade, transport and tourism.  

The National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP) confirms how major capital infrastructure programmes currently ongoing in Tier 1 Ports, including Dublin Port, will enhance national and international connectivity, provide for future increases in trade and national port capacity requirements by facilitating more vessels, larger sized vessels and increased tonnage and throughput. 

The National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) recognises specifically how the redevelopment of Alexandra Basin and associated infrastructure will ensure that Dublin Port continues to play a vitally important role in facilitating trade and tourism in our capital city, the wider hinterland, and across our national economy 

The National Planning Framework (NPF) recognises the role that ports play in maintaining international connectivity to enable export-led growth, support and develop our tourism sector and also to attract high value foreign direct investment. To support this function the framework includes an objective facilitating the growth of Dublin Port and innovative land use models. 

Dublin Port is recognised in the Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy 2019-2031 (RSES) as a critical national facility; a key economic driver for the Region and the nation and an integral part of Dublin City, in line with the Dublin Port Masterplan 2040 (reviewed 2018). It supports its role and continued commercial development. 

The Dublin City Development Plan supports and recognises the important national and regional role of Dublin Port in the economic life of the city and region and to facilitate port activities and development, having regard to the Dublin Port Masterplan 2040.