Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

Howth sea scouts is a voluntary organisation which contributes greatly to the Howth area. The people of Howth built a den at the west pier and it should therefore be retained for public use. The den has been used by generations of scouts and needs to be retained for this purpose.

The sea scouts use the scout hall every day and also provide activities such as camps, competitions, first aid training, canoeing, hikes, treasure trails, boat maintenance days and training courses. At present 120 children ranging in ages from six to 20 years use these facilities. The sea scouts provide an outlet for these young people. It instills a maritime tradition in our youth and provides training in all aspects of seamanship.

Howth is a fishing village which has seen a loss of white fishing vessels in the last number of years. The maintenance of this tradition is imperative to the village. The recent decision taken by the Minister of State with responsibility for the marine not to renew the lease on the land currently used by Howth sea scouts is devastating. The sudden termination of the lease has come as a shock to all concerned and I call on the Minister of State to review his decision immediately and to grant an extension to the lease.

The original lease was for 20 years, so surely the sea scouts have some rights. The lease expired in 2007 and a two year lease was subsequently granted. The lease was due to be renewed on 1 November but instead the sea scouts were given notice to leave the building, leaving them homeless and with nowhere to store their equipment. The Minister of State made the decision to pass the land to the highest commercial bidder, subsequently disregarding the interests of the sea scouts and the people of Howth who helped build this community facility. Scouting groups are unable to compete with commercial organisations.

The Minister of State has suggested that the sea scouts co-use the premises occupied by Howth Sea Angling Club. This possibility has been examined and it has proved to be unsuitable. A purpose built ground floor is needed to store their rowing boats, dinghies, kayaks and canoes. As a youth organisation, the sea scouts have a policy of no alcohol and a venue containing a bar such as that occupied by Howth Sea Angling club is unsuitable.

The lease should be renewed as it is the right thing to do. This premises belongs to the community. The sea scouts have used this premises for the last 22 years. It is needed to preserve maritime traditions, promote water safety and to provide a safe environment for our youth. We also need to instill confidence in our young people, and the sea scouts achieves this. We need to help our young people to learn in a positive manner, and they learn skills at the sea scouts which they retain for life. Anti-social behaviour is a scourge of society, and while young people are using their time constructively with organisations such as the sea scouts, the last thing the Government needs to do is to put these people on the street.

I ask the Minister of State to look sympathetically on the request of the sea scouts in Howth, by renewing their lease at No. 20, West Pier for the foreseeable future. In his response, I ask him not to talk about public procurement processes, because it is a community we are talking about, not a commercial organisation.

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