Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to bring forward proposals to enhance marine tourism opportunities at the six national fishery harbours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40048/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for the management and development of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Killybegs, Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Howth, An Daingean and Ros An Mhíl. Located strategically around the coast of Ireland, each of the Fishery Harbour Centres provides a dedicated and essential service for our fishing fleet and its fishermen.

The Fishery Harbour Centres are unique in that they have been set up to provide a dedicated service to the Fishing Industry. It is policy at each Fishery Harbour Centre that priority is always given to the needs of the fishermen and indeed the significant capital investment at the Fishery Harbour Centres has reflected this.

However, in addition to serving the Fishing Industry, they also play an important role in the Irish tourist and marine leisure industry and also provide facilities for the support of passenger and cargo ferries to the islands. There are comprehensive marine leisure facilities at Howth, Dingle and Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centres which work well alongside the needs of the fishing industry.

My Department will continue to take every opportunity to facilitate and promote marine tourism at the Fishery Harbour Centres subject of course to its compatibility with the needs of fishermen and budgetary constraints.