Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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21. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has arrived at a decision in respect of the proposal to introduce paid parking charges at Howth Harbour, County Dublin. [48143/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The House will be aware that I have been considering introducing a charge for parking facilities within Howth Fishery Harbour Centre for some time,

- to assist in operating Howth Fishery Harbour Centre on a financially-sound basis,

- to provide a source of revenue for further investment in Fishery Harbour Centre facilities,

- as part of an overall traffic management plan, and

- in order to maximise the return on this significant State asset.

There is a broad range of factors to consider in coming to a decision; first and foremost Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is a working fishery harbour, one of 6 Fishery Harbour Centres in the State.

Funding for operating, management and development costs of the Fishery Harbour Centres is a major consideration for my Department. Maximising potential income, and ensuring that the Fishery Harbour Centres are run on a financially-sound basis is extremely important.

Uniquely among Fishery Harbour Centres, a wide range of groups use the parking facilities of Howth Fishery Harbour – harbour business customers, yacht club members, sport fishermen, Dart users, tourists, walkers and many others.

I am well aware of and acknowledge the concerns of local residents and user groups and Deputy Broughan and the House can rest assured that I will take appropriate account of their views in coming to my decision. I can also assure the harbour users in Howth that I am committed to continuing investment in and development of Howth Harbour going forward.