Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a new business (details supplied) being established in County Galway has not had its craft classed under Statutory Instrument No. 214 of 2012, which provides under charge no. 10 (c) that use of a harbour by small passenger boats licensed to carry up to 12 passengers should be €17 per entry, or €1150 per calendar year, payable in advance but is instead being charged the higher rates being laid out for a yacht; the reason consideration has not been given to the fact that the boat can carry 12 passengers; the appeals mechanism there may be; his views on whether this charge is anti-business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44164/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre is first and foremost a working fishery harbour there are commercial and other users of the harbour including passenger vessel operators. The Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order, 2012 (S.I. 214 of 2012) came into effect on 1 July 2012 and sets out the fee schedule for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres. Different rates apply according to the type and nature of the vessel, the different use made of the facilities by the vessel, the size of the vessel and the quantity and species of fish landed (where applicable).

Charge 10 of Schedule 1 provides inter aliafor a rate or charge of €17 per entry or €1,150 per calendar year payable in advance for use of a harbour by small passenger boats licensed to carry up to 12 passengers.

Charge 17 of Schedule 2 provides inter aliafor an annual rate of €180 per metre in length in connection with the berthing of yachts or pleasure craft.

My Department is in receipt of correspondence from the Deputy regarding the individual concerned and his proposal to establish a small business operating from Ros An Mhil Fishery Harbour Centre.

A final decision will be taken as to the appropriate applicable charge upon receipt of a full proposal and once it has been established on an ongoing basis the precise nature of the activity to which the proposal relates. If that activity is related to a small passenger boat licensed to carry up to 12 passengers, then Charge 10 of Schedule 1 would apply; if the vessel operates as a pleasure craft, then Charge 17 of Schedule 2 would apply.

The Deputy should also be advised that, given that the current allocation of berths is scheduled to remain in place for some time, the availability of berthing spaces to new entrants at Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre in 2015 is uncertain.