Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for being here. I apologise that I missed the start because I came from another meeting. Will Waterways Ireland give me an indication - it is still open for submissions - of how many submissions have been received and a recap of how it reached out to stakeholders in this field to encourage as many people as possible to have their say?

The proposal to change the €127 permit fee to €200 amounts to a 55% increase.

We are hearing from boat owners regarding the logistics around this and what that looks like for them. Am I right in saying there was a €126 mooring fee that might increase to €1,500? Could I get a bit of context on that? This would be a twelvefold increase if that is the case and a significant increase from a financial perspective for people who are dealing with cost-of-living issues in their households.

This is a €600 million industry that puts nature and tourism at the heart of what happens and from which many people make their livelihood, in addition to those who spend their lives on boats. I had the pleasure of spending a weekend on a barge on the Shannon as part of my summer holidays with people who do this for months on end and it was the most incredible relaxing experience. I want to make sure that people who do make such an effort to ensure other people get the opportunity to come and enjoy these natural amenities can do so from a financial perspective. I want to make sure that the safety of any person on our canals and barges is prioritised but also that it is affordable for people to do. Could I get comments from all our witnesses on the permit fee, the mooring fee and the submissions? I acknowledge that it is great to hear confirmation that we will not be rushing this but will get it right because it is really important that we do so.