Text of Declaration approved by delegates follows:

Declaration on Dublin Bay

Recognising the environmental, historical, economic, and amenity value of the waters and lands surrounding Dublin Bay;

Acknowledging the improvements in water quality that have occurred in recent years due to investment in sewerage infrastructure;

Concerned at the pressures on the Bay from Dublin's growing population, increasing port traffic, loss of green space, lack of baseline date, Climate Change, and ongoing development;

Aware of the lack of coordination and need for greater integration between the different remits and objectives of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dublin Port, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and other agencies;

Appreciative of the work undertaken by the Dublin Regional Authority in setting up a Dublin Bay Discussion Forum, and of the many voluntary bodies that have nurtured and protected the Bay over the years,

Resolves that:

-A statutory body be set up to co-ordinate, manage, develop and protect the waters and lands surrounding Dublin Bay;

- Greater provision and protection of the public amenities and biodiversity of the Bay, and access for recreational purposes is required;

- A building height and land-use master-plan be drawn up for the lands around Dublin Bay in partnership with the communities, general public and users of the Bay. This plan shall be developed in conjunction with a Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Bay that would protect the foreshore;

- Such plans shall be drawn up with full public participation as provided for under the Aarhus Convention.

Dublin Bay Futures Conference , Kingston Hotel Dún Laoghaire, 8 April 2006

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