February 16, 2007: Government announces plans to construct a second cruise ship pier to accommodate the larger post-Panamax vessels at Dockyard by spring 2009. Discussions on the project between the Department of Planning, the developer (Wedco), consultants and stakeholders begin in June 2006. The 2007-08 Budget sets aside $20 million to be spent that year. The project is expected to cost $35 million (TAF - Total Authorised Funding).

March 7: Government sends a letter of intent to Correia Construction accepting the tender on the project.

March: The Master Plan is submitted to the Department of Planning for approval.

April 13: A $39 million contract for the new pier is signed between Correia Construction and Government (the Ministry of Works and Engineering).

April 18: Dolphin Quest issues a 'Construction Impact Statement', requesting a three-month delay on the project's May start date, to protect the well-being of three dolphin calves. A start date of September 15 is recommended.

May/June: Three calves are born at Dolphin Quest.

July 17: Norwalk Marine International signs a subcontract with Correia Construction.

September 5: Planning officials give the Master Plan the go-ahead. Work on the pier starts. The Development Applications Board also approves Phase One in-principle the piles, pier infrastructure plus dolphin mitigation measures (sound baffle in the tunnel and breakwater, water quality monitoring).

October 10: Final planning permission is granted for Phase One.

February 2008: The 2008-9 Budget increases the project's TAF to $50 million a 40 percent rise. Over the next year, $10 million is set aside in capital funding.

March: Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin calls on Government to explain the jump in costs. "For a project of this scale to jump from $35 million to $50 million within the space of a year certainly gives cause for concern," she says. Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley says: "I'm having a hard time with the way in which this whole project is being handled the way it is, without any form of open accountability." Government fails to give an explanation.

May: Applicant Wedco (the West End Development Corporation) applies for a Special Development Order (SDO) for Phase Two, to meet the spring 2009 pier deadline, on Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman's advice.

December: Opposition MPs delay a land reclamation agreement between the Ministry of Works and Engineering (Government's landlord) and Wedco (the pier owner). The 8.2-acre agreement required for the GTA, terminal building and widening of North Arm Bridge is put on hold as MPs say they want more consultation.

December 19: Correia Construction terminates Norwalk Marine International's subcontract.

January 2009: Government (the Ministry of Tourism and Transport) applies for retroactive planning approval for Phase Two. Work is already underway on the terminal building, GTA and North Arm Bridge.Government says the SDO was abandoned when it became clear it would not be approved before April.

February: The 2009-10 Budget reveals a final TAF at $60 million, of which $56 million has been spent. The actual figure spent during 2007-08 was $39.5 million almost double the $20 million budgeted for. During 2008-09, $16.5 million was spent - $6.5 million over the $10 million allocated.

March: MPs approve a 2.7-acre land reclamation agreement between Government and Wedco.

March 11: Tourism and Transport Minister and Premier Ewart Brown tells MPs the project is over budget at $60 million due to meeting the completion deadline and complying with environmental concerns. He says the 2008 overspend is $6 million, which includes $3.7 m for "dolphin mitigation".

April: The DAB grants retroactive planning permission for Phase Two. However it criticises Government for its "blatant disregard" of the Planning process.

April 29: The new cruise ship dock is completed on deadline. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, a delay would have resulted in $16 million in lost revenue to the economy.

May: Dennis Correia tells The Royal Gazette the costs of 'dolphin mitigation' were $3,407,166 - $2,254,166 of which was spent on two thruster walls to shield the animals from sediment stirred up by cruise ships. Mr. Correia says: "We have nothing to hide. Anyone can look at our books, there's nothing to hide anywhere."

June: Government says dolphin mitigation costs could be as high as $10.3 million. The Ministry of Tourism and Transport issues Parliamentary Answers to Questions posed by Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley in March. Sen. Dunkley asked for "details on how $3.7 million was spent on dolphin mitigation, including all payments in connection with this matter". The Ministry states "costs directly attributable to dolphin mitigation" reached $675,060. However the "Impact of delays and dolphin mitigation" resulted in extra costs to the project of $10,342,586.