Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the recent views raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General, he has plans to carry out a performance assessment of his Department for the period of the present Government concerning the invigilation and management of the national sea fisheries resource and fishery harbours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13642/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to outline in detail the background and context to this matter as well as indicating the current position.

The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for 2005 raised two key issues in connection with the five fishery harbour centres owned by the State and operated by the Department at Killybegs, Castletownbere, Ros a Mhil, Howth and Dunmore East, in accordance with the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968. These issues related to a delay in the provision of annual accounts for the fishery harbour centres for the years 2000-03 and the Department's oversight of the five fishery harbour centres and in particular the collection of outstanding harbour dues.

The relevant legislation provides that the annual accounts of the fishery harbour centres are to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. There had been a delay in the provision of annual accounts for the years 2000-03 due to exceptional pressure on the Department's accounts branch. This was due to changes in the Department's functions during the period. A schedule for submission of the accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor General was agreed with his office in November 2004 and the draft accounts for the years 2000-04 were submitted by the Department to his office for audit in May 2005.

As regards oversight of the fishery harbour centres and debt collection, the Comptroller and Auditor General had raised a number of questions regarding departmental oversight of the fishery harbour centres and in particular progress made to eliminate the levels of debt.

The fishery harbour centres are funded through rents for properties at the harbours and through charges for usage of harbour facilities, mainly by fishermen and fishing industry operators. It is in my view important that these strategic harbours meet their operating costs in order to provide a sustainable service to the fishing industry. The Exchequer fully provides the capital funding required to ensure their ongoing maintenance and development.

Prior to 2003, charges had not been increased since 1990. There has been strong resistance from the fishing industry from time to time to harbour charges, particularly following the introduction of the new charges in 2003. While the challenges facing the fishing industry are appreciated it is important that the facilities provided to them are maintained on a sound financial footing. Since 2001 there have been a number of initiatives to enhance recovery of receipts and arrears. This included the hiring of external services to assist with collection. Debt control procedures have also been introduced, including the options of detention of vessels, refusal of harbour services and, where appropriate, legal action for recovery of moneys owed.

In addition, new financial management systems are being rolled out for the harbours which, among other things, enable the efficient issuing of invoices and also enables the debtors' position to be monitored more effectively. These new systems will also enhance the quality of service provided to the fishing industry at the fishery harbour centres by enabling more clarity in relation to the charges being imposed.

The benefits of the charges introduced in 2003 are now being realised. The accounts for 2004 and the draft accounts for 2005 show a small operating profit for the five fishery harbour centres. This compares with operating losses in previous years. A substantial reduction in the level of debt is expected to be seen this year.

Harbour masters, or acting harbour masters, are now in place at all of the fishery harbour centres. The Department is also reviewing the structures, roles and responsibilities, work practices and procedures with regard to management of the harbours with a view to improving the level and efficiency and service provided as well as ensuring an ongoing sound financial position. I am confident that these measures will enable the Department to better focus on maximising the value of the assets available at the fishery harbour centres for the benefit of the fishing industry, the local communities in which they are situated and nationally.

Accordingly, in the light of the foregoing circumstances, which point clearly to a wide range of important steps and measures to address certain shortcomings, and bearing in mind that sea fisheries resource management is an entirely separate issue operating in a totally different policy context, I do not believe that an assessment of the type suggested by the Deputy is warranted.

In so far as management of sea fisheries in concerned, there is an ongoing investigation by the Garda Síochána into alleged over-fishing and I consider that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on that aspect in these circumstances.