Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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374. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the review of all issues relating to the ongoing management of lakes in Muckross Park, Killarney and in particular its boating activities has been completed; the position regarding the issuing of mooring permits and licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17272/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department is reviewing all issues relating the management of the lakes in Killarney National Park, including all boating activities, with a view to developing a long-term sustainable strategy which will ensure that the boating activities are operated in an equitable and transparent way. The review is ongoing. Private boats on the lakes in the Park are regulated by way of mooring discs or pegs. In a scheme introduced in 1991, following lengthy consultation with interested parties, mooring discs were issued to all boat owners having a recognised traditional mooring right on the lakes, subject to an overall limit on the number of discs issued. It is considered that a limit is necessary so as to balance recreational use with the conservation imperative of flora and fauna of the lakes and surrounding areas, and also taking account of obligations under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department does not permit the casual placing of boats on the lakes on a daily basis, as boats and engines coming from outside the Park carry the risk of spreading invasive alien species such as zebra mussels and various pond weeds.

To facilitate others, persons applying for mooring pegs are placed on a waiting list and any pegs becoming available are allocated to those on the list. In order to facilitate the short-term accommodation of some of those on the waiting list, they are entered into a lottery each year for one of 20 temporary mooring pegs to use the lakes for one year. The 2014 lottery took place on 20th February last under the supervision of my officials and local angling club members. Offers of discs have issued to those persons drawn from the lottery.

My Department receives numerous requests for mooring spaces but, unfortunately the demand far exceeds the number of spaces available.