Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the proposed increase in charges in harbour fees, if he will intervene to ensure that the boatmen who take visitors out to see Fungi the dolphin in Dingle Bay, will not be put out of business because of the proposed increase charges. [23824/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012 was signed by me on 21st June 2012 and came into effect on the 1st July 2012. The Rates and Charges Order (Statutory Instrument Number 214 of 2012) sets out the fee schedule for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, at Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros a’ Mhíl.

In drafting the new Rates and Charges Order my Department was mindful of the need to consider the views of all harbour users. A draft order was published on 30th March 2012 and was the subject of a comprehensive Public Consultation process. I can confirm that a number of submissions were received on behalf of the Dingle Boatmen and that the charges included in the final Rates & Charges order were amended to reflect the concerns raised. The rates set by virtue of the current Rates & Charges Order result in a significant reduction in charges for the majority of the Dingle Boatmen.