Oral hearing opens for Port of Cork revamp

The first day of the oral hearing into the Port of Cork's proposed development for a new container facility in Ringaskiddy began today.

The Port of Cork welcomed the oral hearing as an advancement of their proposed development and recognised the right that the public be consulted and that objectors have their say in a public forum.

The first day heard the opening submission by the Port of Cork's senior counsel David Holland.

He spoke of the Port's submission to An Bord Pleanála and of it's strategic importance, the views of the Cork County Council regarding the proposed development, the land at Oyster Bank and the EIS report.

He also discussed the underlying reason for the proposed development which is that the Port of Cork's existing container terminal at Tivioli will shortly exceed capacity due to severe limitations on the size and number of the ships which dock there.

The Port of Waterford's objection to the proposal was also pointed out as being an anti-competitive objection made in breach of government policy that ports compete with each other.

The oral hearing is due to take three weeks to hear all the evidence for and against the proposed Oyster Bank terminal.