Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will undertake a full public consultation with residents and business people in Howth, County Dublin, on his proposals to introduce car parking charges in Howth which local residents and businesses fear could have a devastating effect on the marine and leisure tourism sectors and the local economy in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My intention to introduce pay parking at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre has been widely known for some time. The introduction of parking charges at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre was originally examined in great detail in 2007 in the context of a proposed Howth Traffic and Parking Management Plan, in conjunction with Fingal County Council. There was widespread public consultation at that time but that project did not subsequently proceed. All of the various views expressed and submissions made at the time by local businesses and other interests are still on file and I am well aware of their concerns.

More recently, I have received correspondence from a variety of interested parties. My officials have had discussions with Fingal Council and with an Gárda Síochána in relation to the introduction of pay parking and other related matters at the Fishery Harbour Centre, and my Department’s engineers have met some of the Harbour’s business tenants individually in relation to their specific concerns about new traffic management and road markings etc.

As I have said previously, Howth is one of 6 Fishery Harbour Centres operated by the State each of whose primary purpose is to provide facilities and services for the fishing industry and fisheries-related activities.

In parallel with fishing-related enhancements, there have been a number of developments at the Fishery Harbours in recent years that underpin their expanding use for leisure and marine tourism, as well as other maritime enterprises.

In the current economic climate, it is essential that all of the State’s enterprises pay their way, and the State must necessarily be fully committed to maximising the return on its investment.

At the same time, all income generated by the Fishery Harbour Centres goes back into a ring-fenced Fishery Harbour Centres Fund which is used exclusively for the operating and management costs of the Fishery Harbours.

The additional revenues to be generated from pay parking at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, which I expect will be substantial when fully operational, will be re-invested in facilities and enhancements that would not otherwise have been possible given the current financial constraints.

I believe these improvements can only be of benefit to the marine and leisure tourism sectors and local economies in general.