Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why there is a mandatory charge for the use of water and refuse services for all boats irrespective of size whether they avail of both services or not under charge number 5 and under charge number 10 of the Schedules of Statutory Instrument No. 214 of 2013 (Fisheries Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012; if he will amend these regulations and provide an exemption for currachs that do not use these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7767/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Pursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), my Department is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Castletownbere, Dingle , Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl. Charges for the use of facilities and services at each of the Fishery Harbour Centres are levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 214 of 2012) which came into effect on 1 July 2012. 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).

The mandatory nature of the charges referred to is nothing new, and is consistent with the situation as it pertained in the previous Order S.I. No. 439 of 2003. For ease of reference and for clarification, the relevant charges under S.I. No. 214 of 2012 are set out in the following table.

S.I. No. 214 of 2012 provides inter aliathat charge no. 9 of Schedule 1 for the use of fresh water is “...mandatory on all vessels using a Fishery Harbour Centre whether or not they use fresh water...” other than vessels paying under charge no. 5, charge no. 10 in Schedule 1 or charge no. 17 in Schedule 2. In this regard, please note the following:

- Charge no. 5 of Schedule 1 relates to landing of whitefish. It is generally only larger fishing vessels that opt to be invoiced under this charge.

- Charge no. 10 of Schedule 1 relates to use of the harbour by passenger boats/vessels and cruise vessels.

- Charge no. 17 of Schedule 2 relates to berthing of yachts and pleasure crafts.

- Charge 9 takes account of different types of vessel, drawing a distinction as it does between fishing vessels, pelagic vessels and other vessels. Within this framework, it also differentiates on size, between fishing vessels over and under 6 metres in length overall.

Waste charges are mandatory on all vessels using a Fishery Harbour Centre whether or not waste is disposed of, as set out in Charge 10 of Schedule 2. The mandatory nature of the charge arises from national and EU legislative requirements and is also designed to reduce any incentive to discharge waste at sea. A key principle underpinning this charge is that larger vessels generally tend to generate more waste and are charged more accordingly. The 2012 Order revoked its 2003 predecessor and while vessels were categorised somewhat differently under the 2003 Order, there has been no increase in the quantum of water or waste charges since then.

In March 2015, following a complaint the Office of the Ombudsman found no issue with the mandatory nature of these particular charges.

That said, the Department is currently undertaking an internal review of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 214 of 2012) , with the intention of introducing a new Order in 2017. It should be noted that Statute requires a full public consultation process to be undertaken before any new Rates and Charges Order is introduced.

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when sanction will be given for the dredging of Howth fishery harbour ventre, given that it is silting up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7777/16]

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 and 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 11th of January I announced funding of €1.45 million for the maintenance and development of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre during 2016; in addition I have set aside €420,000 for safety and maintenance, disability access and contractual commitments accruing from 2015. Significant works in this year’s 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.

A draft report from a €150,000 site investigation project which was commissioned in 2015 was received in March 2016. The draft report is being assessed by the Department ’s engineers. This report includes 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 which will be submitted to the EPA in due course. Depending on the outcome of this process Dredging Works will be considered subject to available funding.

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.