Jim O'Keeffe
Question:31 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the consideration, if any, he has given to the safety and security of fishing boats while in port. [3886/98]
Other Questions. - Port Facilities.
I fully share the Deputy's concern that fishermen should be able to use port facilities safely and securely. While primary responsibility for the protection of private property rests with the owners, it is essential the relevant harbour authorities and boat owners work in co-operation to ensure fishing vessels are safeguarded as far as practically possible from vandalism or theft.
In the case of the five fishery harbour centres directly managed by my Department, I have instructed that security matters are to be kept under regular review by the harbour masters in consultation with the local harbour users committees and enhanced arrangements put in place when identified as necessary. No major difficulties have been brought to my attention to date. However, in light of the recent serious incident at Howth Harbour and my review of security arrangements with the fishermen, enhanced security arrangements are being put in place at Howth.
My question was triggered by a report in the "Fishing News" about the vandalism and major damage in Howth Harbour. It reminded me that there are millions of pounds worth of fishing boats lying at quays and piers right around the country. Would the Minister agree there should be a more concerted effort to ensure the security and safety of those vessels? Perhaps the role of harbour constables should be extended so that fishermen can sleep easy on those nights when they are in port with reasonable assurance that their boats will not be damaged or put at risk as happened in Howth?
I agree with the Deputy that there has to be a concerted effort. That means local users, harbourmasters and authorities must work together to try to prevent a recurrence of vandalism. In regard to the Howth incident, I invited the fishermen to come in and we discussed the situation at length. It was a very unusual situation. A person has been apprehended and brought before the courts. I do not want to go into the detail of that. However, the incident shows the extent of damage that can result from a relatively simple act of vandalism.
The primary responsibility for protecting a boat is the owner's. That is the technical and legal position. There are two harbour constables employed by my Department at Howth. They provide a security presence at certain times of the day. Howth is a very open harbour around which there is much other leisure activity. There is also late night entertainment in the area. It was after such late night entertainment that the incident in question happened. It raises a question of 24 hour security.
We have agreed to install closed circuit television cameras at Howth to record and monitor the situation. Also, we are making other arrangements to augment the security at Howth, and that is being done in co-operation with the fishermen. I have asked the harbourmasters of the other harbours to look at the situation and to come back and discuss it with the harbour users, because it is something we have to be very conscious of.
I understand steps are now being taken in Howth, and I am very sorry for the boat owners who suffered such appalling losses. My concern is that we should learn nationally from the experience of Howth and that there should be a heightened sense of the need for security. The steps now being taken at Howth might be put into operation in the other centres. Will the Minister take the lead in a national sense to try to ensure that as far as possible such incidents are prevented in the future or that damage is minimised as far as possible? The incident at Howth was a serious warning. Let us learn from it. That is the message I am trying to convey. Will the Minister take urgent action nationally as a consequence?
I agree with the Deputy. I have begun that process and I will follow it through. We have had no reports so far of serious incidents anywhere else. Anything else that has occurred has been of a minor nature. The two fishermen at Howth suffered very serious losses. I was with them when the incident occurred and I conveyed our sympathy to them and my regrets about what happened, and we discussed what needs to be done for the future. It was an exceptional situation but it highlights the fact that on a national basis we have to take a different approach.
I understand that the losses in Howth could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Even from a purely financial point of view it would be worth the Minister's while to put a scheme together, supported by fishermen, to ensure that such an appalling incident does not happen again and that other fishing boat owners like the two unfortunate owners at Howth will not suffer a repetition of that.
I agree with the Deputy. We have begun that process. The installation of cameras would be a once-off expense although they would have to be monitored, but the cost of providing manpower is quite high. It is common in other ports around Europe for a contribution to be made by harbour users towards the cost of security. That is another issue.
The Minister should go and talk to the fishermen straight away.
I have begun to do that.