Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - Confiscation of Boats.

Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this matter. I also thank the Minister of State for his attendance.

The reason I raise the issue is the serious position which has arisen with regard to boat owners on the lakes of Killarney. It was recently brought to my notice that boats had been confiscated by the Office of Public Works who is now requesting £50 for their return. The owner of one particular boat has been using the lakes of Killarney for over 20 years, like his father before him. Such people use their boats usually at weekends for personal purposes, particularly for leisure. I am not speaking here about commercial operators.

A lottery is held each year when 20 permits are allocated for the operations of private boat owners on the lakes, which is not a satisfactory manner in which to deal with the people of Killarney who have had boats on the lakes for their personal use for generations, in some cases, such people and their ancestors have had exclusive use of the lakes for leisure purposes before the Office of Public Works took charge. This confiscation of boats belonging to the local people will have to stop immediately. The Office of Public Works will have to devise a system to accommodate the needs of local boat owners who use the lakes for a few hours at weekends and on summer evenings. I understand that the position must be monitored but not at the expense of people who, for generations, have been using those lakes. It is a sad day when a man who has used the lakes all his life, like his father before him, cannot take his son out on the lakes without having his boat confiscated and being advised that he can no longer go on the lakes until next year's lottery is held when he may be successful.

I am requesting the Office of Public Works to deal with the position as a matter of urgency because it will not be long before the winter is upon us. I realise I am exceptionally fortunate to live in a beautiful town like Killarney but I regret that my fellow Killarney citizens cannot avail of the natural amenities we are so fortunate in having.

These boat owners are merely seeking fair play. They are not causing any problems, and never have, on the lakes of Killarney which are very dear to them. The Minister of State will appreciate how aggrieved they feel that on this beautiful evening they cannot take their boats out on the lake as they have done for generations.

I am asking the Minister of State to look after the traditional, private boat owners of Killarney and issue them with permanent permits to allow them to continue the only leisure facility or pastime they have enjoyed for generations. I appeal to the Minister to issue these people with licences and resort to the lottery for some other boat owners.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

I thank Deputy Moynihan-Cronin for having raised this matter because it affords me a chance to explain the system in greater detail. Indeed I agree with her that she lives in a very beautiful town.

This system was not imposed on people. In 1987, the Office of Public Works, in consultation with local boating interests in Killarney, introduced a system of licensed commercial boating on the lakes of Killarney. This system was introduced to control the operation of commercial boats in the interests of safety and to conserve the special amenities of beauty and tranquility of these internationally renowned lakes.

When a system of licensing was subsequently introduced from 1991 onwards in respect of private boating — for the same reason as commercial ones — additional mooring facilities were provided by the Office of Public Works, principally in the Ross Castle area. This was done to accommodate the maximum number of privately-owned boats that could be licensed for the lakes.

This allocation of licences was made by the Office of Public Works in consultation with local angling clubs and took into account the length of time the licence applicants had previously used the lakes. Applications for licences were sought through advertisements placed in local newspapers. The number of applications received far exceeded the number of mooring spaces available. It was not possible to accommodate all applicants. A waiting list of unsuccessful applicants has been retained and spaces are allocated from this list as they become available.

To provide some opportunity for some of those awaiting licences to gain access to the lakes, a "lottery" was held in January of this year, as a result of which 20 mooring spaces were provided for a period of one year. The lottery draw was in the presence of representatives of local angling clubs. These licences will continue to be advertised on an annual basis. Boats operating from privately-owned lands adjoining the lakes have also been licensed with the agreement of the landowners involved. Further mooring spaces cannot be provided without adversely impacting on the amenity of the lakes and the conservation objectives of Killarney National Park.

The system of licensing boats on the lakes of Killarney has now been in operation for a number of years and has been accepted by the local community. The Office of Public Works has gone to great lengths to ensure that the system of control is supported and accepted by the local community. Regular meetings are held with angling clubs to discuss and agree matters pertaining to the operation of the system. Therefore it cannot be claimed that the requirements for a licence are not widely known throughout the area.

In implementing the boat licensing system, the Office of Public Works removed a number of unauthorised boats from the lakes. These boats are released to the owners when they provide an undertaking not to place their boat back on the lakes, unless authorised to do so by way of licence.

The Office of Public Works has made extensive efforts to facilitate as many private boat owners as possible consistent with their obligations and responsibilities for the protection of the amenity of the lakes and the conservation of the natural resources of the national park.

A licensing system is essential for the safe and orderly operation of boating activity on the lakes. It also prevents the introduction of unsuitable and undesirable craft such as jet skis and power boats.

I am satisfied that this licensing system is a necessary measure and is implemented equitably by the Office of Public Works. I am also satisfied that there is, with the co-operation of the individuals involved, a system in place whereby craft which have been removed for unlawfully using the lakes, can be returned to their owners.