An ownership package of Bull Island, which includes €1 million towards the island's protection, has been offered to Dublin City Council by The Dublin Port Company.

The offer comes ahead of the company's impending application for the expansion of Dublin Port.

The company is offering to transfer its 10.75-acre holding on Bull Island to the council and €200,000 to fund an environmental, recreational and amenity study of the island, which is seen as a way of convincing the community to support the project.

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The Dublin Port Company's expansion plan has been public knowledge for many years, but has been consistently opposed by city councillors and local residents.

The company's application for planning permission is to be made in the coming weeks, directly to An Bord Pleanála. This move will be done under the new "fast-track" planning process, which bypasses the local authority planning stage.

However, many predict the port expansion plans will still face opposition, with many parties favouring the relocation of the port elsewhere.

The Dublin Bay area is set to be designated an EU special protection area, which is intended to conserve the wild birds and habitat in the area.

The expansion would involve new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay.

(PR/JM)