National Watersports Centre promised to Dun Laoghaire residents

Residents of Dun Laoghaire in south Co Dublin have been promised a National Watersports Centre in the town's harbour within the next seven years.

The local Council has said it can be delivered quickly and at a relatively low cost.

Councilors have voted down controversial plans to build berths for large cruise ships in the harbour and claim the €21m they will save can be invested in the watersports centre instead.

It is hoped the building could include a restaurant and offer the public direct access onto the waterfront.

It is hoped the development will help protect Dun Laoghaire's waterfront "as an outstanding recreational harbour and sporting amenity of national significance".