Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 220: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he is allowing non-competitive practices on the lakes of Killarney, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23748/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A certain number of boatmen were already operating non-restricted routes on the lakes of Killarney (including Ross Castle to Muckross House) when the State acquired the Kenmare Estate from the McShain family in 1979. In the interest of competition, my Department has since provided for additional licences to operate fixed routes and it is open to any person to compete by public tender to operate on these routes.

Killarney National Park, including its lakes, is managed primarily for nature conservation purposes in accordance with national, EU and international policies and obligations. The number of licences issued to operate commercial boating on the lakes is subject to ongoing review and takes account of these policies and obligations.