Locals say Docklands helipad is 'a great idea'

Residents of East Wall and North Wall in the Dublin Docklands would welcome plans backed by Treasury Holdings for a helicopter service at the proposed National Conference Centre at Spencer Dock, a local representative has said.

In a tongue-in-cheek comment on an application for planning permission to site a rooftop helipad on the planned Spencer Dock International Conference Centre, Mr Gerry Fay said the area needed a helicopter service because of the huge increase in traffic congestion.

Mr Fay, chairman of the North Wall Community Association, said 3,000 apartments were under construction at Spencer Dock. In addition, the proposed redevelopment of the Point Theatre into a "Point village" would increase the resident population by 10,000, with up to 30,000 workers being there during the day.

He said the new Macken Street Bridge with eight lanes of traffic would greatly increase car numbers in the area, "and the locals would need a helicopter to get in and out. It's a great idea."

Dublin Central TD Mr Tony Gregory described the application as "presumptuous given that the Government has not decided that the site will be the national conference centre yet".

Ms Lilian Cassin, of the Irish Aviation Authority, said the authority would have a view on the application with regard to safety considerations, size and lighting. There was a restriction on helicopter services in heavily populated areas of the city.