Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see Deputy Durkan in the Chair.

Residents and local business people in Howth were shocked before Christmas to learn of plans by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, to introduce car parking charges in Howth Harbour. Howth is one of the six national fishery harbours around the coastline and is also a most popular marine leisure and tourism resource for Dubliners and people of the entire north Leinster region. Local residents and business people, therefore, rightly fear that the introduction of car parking charges by the Minister could have a devastating effect on the vital marine and leisure tourism industries and the local economy in general.

I previously estimated that approximately 100,000 people come to Howth each year to walk the famous Howth tramline walkway alone. These walkers, and other tens of thousands of annual visitors, walk the pathways of the East and West Mountains or come into the harbour itself to walk. Many visit local restaurants or use the marine tourism and leisure facilities, including the world famous Howth Yacht Club and other boating and fishing services.

Local residents, of which I am one, and business people generally welcome the visitors as they are the lifeblood of the local Howth economy. Many residents have fought hard to protect the unique green and marine environment of Howth for residents and visitors alike. Given the ongoing economic difficulties, there are fears that the introduction of parking charges in Howth Harbour will deter many people from travelling to Howth especially if bringing equipment or gear for outdoor or leisure activities and must use their car. Residents and business people have rightly asked whether a full cost-benefit analysis has been carried out on the project and if the Minister has contacted other public stakeholders such as Fingal County Council or Irish Rail.

Mr. Paul Brady, president of Howth Sutton Baldoyle Chamber of Commerce reminded me that the introduction of paid parking has resulted in business closures at Dún Laoghaire Harbour. In response to my parliamentary question the Minister stated that the proposed charges are being introduced in the context of "traffic and parking management enhancements". He also stated that he is"convinced that the revenues generated by the introduction of such charges will provide the funds to develop [the harbour]".

There is no firm commitment in that regard. Restuarants, fish processors and fishmongers on the West Pier also rightly fear that once parking charges have been introduced they will be exponentially increased on an annual basis. The Minister also referred in his reply to health and safety fears for emergency vehicles on the West Pier. The local businesses regard that as a complete red herring because the problems could easily be dealt with through the use of designated spaces, for example. I have asked the Minister to undertake a full public consultation on the proposal, and to permit local residents and businesses to express their clear opposition to the proposed charges, which they have asked him to withdraw. This is important given that there appears to have been no consultation by the Minister with the local community or other public stakeholders.

I am sure, for example, that members of Fingal County Council and local councillors in the Howth-Malahide ward would be bitterly opposed to any measure which would increase the density of parking and traffic on the tight narrow streets of Howth and move traffic out of the harbour area. Local community leaders and groups including the Howth Sutton Community Council led by Ms Stephanie Davies, Mr. Charles Sargent, Mr. Des Gilroy and Mr. Raymond Sexton have been in touch on the proposed parking charges and have confirmed that there was no communication or consultation with the community council on the matter. Howth Sutton Community Council is an umbrella group for community, residents and business organisations across the Howth Sutton Peninsula and it has currently 40 member organisations, including the chamber of commerce led by president Mr. Paul Brady, Howth Yacht Club led by Mr. Pat Murphy, Howth Comhair Iascaire Teoranta, the fisheries co-operative, led by Captain Brian Doyle, all the churches, drug awareness groups, Beann Eadair GAA, Howth Celtic football club, Howth Golf Club, the Heritage Society, the tidy towns organisation, credit unions. Fingal County Council and An Garda Síochána are also represented. Given the range of community interests represented, it is astonishing that the Minister or the Department did not consult or communicate with this important body.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, for coming to respond to the debate. I am informed that there has been no local consultation and that the proposal is universally believed to be crazy. It would be bad for tourism in Howth and would deter valued visitors to the unique Howth Peninsula. It would be disastrous for the local economy. I urge the Minister to forget the proposal and to talk to the people of Howth.

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