Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

296. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the Howth public realm assessment currently being undertaken by Fingal County Council, and its aim to better integrate the Howth Harbour area in County Dublin with the rest of the village and peninsula; if his Department will assist Fingal County Council in any way with the work in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7997/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department.  All six Fishery Centres are first and foremost working fishery harbours.  However each centre has unique features which facilitate a broad range of other diverse activities which are important from both an economic and social perspective.  My Department is aware of Fingal County Council’s Public Realm Consultation Process for Howth.  The Harbour Master for Howth attended the Public Consultation Participatory Workshop on 22 October 2014 organised by the Council.  The Department is in receipt of the resultant Howth Public Realm Stakeholder Consultation Draft Report, which is currently being reviewed.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department is anxious to assist where possible in increasing the profile of the Harbour for the betterment of the wider community and accordingly will continue, where appropriate, to facilitate initiatives to promote Howth and to liaise with Fingal County Council and other stakeholders on an ongoing basis in relation to the wide range of harbour activities.