A major project to move Dublin Port and use it’s land for housing has been suggested by companies in the Docklands.
Last year the Dublin Port Company said it would cost 8 billion euro to relocate to a greenfield site elsewhere.
"How would you even move the Port?!?" said one woman who was out walking nearby this afternoon.
People in East Wall are struggling to imagine moving Ireland’s biggest port to another location.
But that’s what the Dockland’s Business Forum says would be the best use of the 205 hectares at the mouth of the Liffey.
Turning the site into housing and offices.
It’s CEO Alan Robinson explains where the port and all it’s ships and trucks could go;
He says it could be moved up the coast to the Meath Dublin border.
"Or there's Rosslare in County Wexford, and then there's Cork City."
"So there's plenty of opportunities."
Billions
The Port says it would cost billions and would be nearly impossible to secure planning permission.
But Robinson says we need to be bold and ambitious in order to provide more housing;
"Dublin City has approximately a 200,000 shortfall in terms of apartments."
"So young people who are working in the Docklands are having to move out to Meath, Kildare or Louth."
"When we get back after Covid they'll be commuting for ten to fifteen hours."
"Liberated" Land
In a submission to the city council’s draft development plan, the forum says other cities across the world have moved their ports.
Liberating the land to create new areas where people can work, live and play.
