Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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615. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out his plans to improve anglers' facilities in Howth Harbour, as, at present, fish are being gutted on the pier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22930/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. While first and foremost a working fishery harbour, there are a wide range of recreational users of the harbour, including anglers.

My Department conducts regular Harbour Users Fora at the Fishery Harbour Centres, where Harbour Users and stakeholders are given the opportunity to put forward suggestions for the development and improvement of the facilities in the harbours. The most recent Harbour Users Forum in Howth was held on 23 January this year, and while this issue was not raised then, if proposals are brought forward, I will consider them.

I am happy to advise that in the last 3 years €3.2 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Most recently, I have made €1.18 million available in 2014, for improvement of facilities, maintenance and development and upgrading works in the harbour.