Vol. 568 No. 1
445 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will reconsider the decision to increase landing charges in major fishing ports in view of the financial burden this will place on an industry that is already in crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15521/03]
Charges at fishery harbour centres were last increased in 1990 and are clearly in need of upward revision.
The 2002 draft accounts for the fishery harbour centres fund show an operating deficit of €544,990 and an aggregate deficit of €1.2 million. Without a significant increase in income the deficit will increase rapidly as staff and other operating costs increase. I should point out also that the Exchequer meets totally the capital costs of developing the harbours through the national fishery harbour development programme and is providing €28 million in 2003 for those purposes.
Proposed new charges at fishery harbour centres were published on 21 May 2003, with the statutory consultation period of 21 days provided for until midnight on 10 June 2003. As that consultation period has not expired it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time. I will of course carefully consider the outcome of that consultation before making my decision.
