Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I now come to my own questions. Does Mr. Rowe accept there is a lack of fairness for current users, including residential boat owners and businesses, in that they are facing massive increases in fees? Part of the rationale being offered is that the fees have not been increased since the 1980s. Current users are not responsible for the fact that fees have not been increased since the 1980s. It would be fair enough for anyone to have a legitimate expectation that if they are to face an increase in any fee, it would not be at this sort of scale. Simply because someone else, for whatever reason, has not been able to increase it in decades, does not mean it is fair to place the burden of that on individuals. Does Mr. Rowe accept that is unfair? People would not have an expectation of such an increase. They have made investments and life decisions. They have planned for their retirement without an expectation of this increase. For some people, it will cause enormous stress, anxiety and hardship.