Plans to expand Dublin Port are premature and still need further consultation, according to a report by Dublin City Council.

City councillors backed the report, which will now be forwarded to the planning appeals authority.

The document has reportedly called on An Bord Pleanala to assess proposals for the port more rigorously.

Dublin City Council branded the plans 'premature' due to proposals being submitted prior to two government-funded studies being completed.

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Assessments undertaken by the Transport Department and Dublin Bay Task Force, as part of the National Development Plan, are still pending.

City councils expected the results to provide an indication of the validity of planned expansion at the port.

Councillor Deirdre Heney is opposed to the further development of the site.

She said: "Dublin Port already has adequate space to allow it to be economically viable, and the option of relocation of some of the port's activities to other areas is a viable one."

Ms Heney cited Bremore, which is "just a stone's throw away" in north Dublin, as a possible alternative.

Councillors have expressed concerns about the impact of the Dublin Port expansions on "water, drainage and natural heritage".

Green Party council member Bronwen Maher suggested the proposals "are not a benefit to the city or to Dublin Bay."

(PR/JM)