Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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30. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce pay-parking in Howth, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2203/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, owns and directly manages six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Ros an Mhíl, Killybegs and An Daingean.

Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is a working fishery harbour, however it is also a very important tourist and leisure destination with many restaurants and businesses operating on the Harbour.

The question of the introduction of paid car parking on Howth Harbour, as part of an overall review of traffic management arrangements, remains under consideration.

The Comptroller & Auditor General in his Special Report (No 82 of July 2014) and the related Report of the Public Accounts Committee of 24^thJune 2015 have asked the Department to review the position re pay parking in Howth, in conjunction with other Fishery Harbour Centres with a view to increasing income generation possibilities.

However, income generation is not the only factor to be considered in deciding whether pay parking should be introduced in Howth, there is a broad range of other factors to be taken into account before a final decision will be made on the matter. Most importantly, the safe operation of the Harbour is of paramount concern, in this context, traffic management and parking is recognised as an issue, particularly, though not exclusively, during the busy holiday periods.

Traffic and parking management within the Fishery Harbour Centre itself has been an issue for some time, particularly in the light of concerns raised about safety and emergency access by the Coastguard, the Lifeboat service, and An Garda Síochána. In this regard, upgrading works to the car park, including lining of parking spaces, have taken place as part of the harbour’s traffic management scheme. In 2015, over €80,000 was spent on traffic management in Howth Harbour, including a significant upgrading of lighting on the West Pier. In 2016, I have allocated €150,000 for the continuation of traffic management works in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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31. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will undertake a much needed dredging programme in Howth fishery harbour in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2204/16]

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 under Statute.

While first and foremost a working fishery harbour, Howth similar to the other five Fishery Harbour Centres, has its own unique features which is home to a broad range of diverse economic and social activities.

My Department is conscious of the importance of both fishing and non fishing activities in Howth and endeavours to facilitate and develop both. This involves day to day operational support by Harbour staff and management and development and repair of infrastructure subject to available financial resources.

I am happy to advise the Deputy that, notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, in excess of €5.9 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth FHC as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme from 2011 to 2015.

On the 11^thof January I announced funding of €1.45 million for the maintenance and development of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre during 2016. Significant works in this years programme include the continued upgrading of the electrical system, provision of pontoons to west pier for ferry landings and traffic management works.

Of importance in the context of a possible future dredging project at Howth is the allocation of €100,000 for the preparation of a Dumping at Sea Licence which will be required before any dredging project could commence. This follows on from the €150,000 I approved as part of the 2015 Capital Programme for site investigation works at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, the report of which is due shortly, and will include vital information on the nature of the material to be dredged in any future dredging project. This information is necessary for the preparation of the Dumping at Sea licence.

The groundwork is being undertaken to facilitate a dredging project at Howth, subject to funding being available.

As the Deputy is aware, all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, including a possible future dredging project at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.