Vol. 571 No. 4
329 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of the new system of harbour charges at the five national ports; and if his Department has made estimates of the likely annual additional costs per boat resulting from the new charges. [21879/03]
Revised charges were introduced in respect of the five fishery harbour centres – Howth, Rossaveel, Castletownbere, Killybegs and Dunmore East – with effect from 1 October 2003. The revised charges were necessary in order to address the operating deficit of €544,990 in 2002 and the accumulated deficit of €1.2 million. Details of the revised charges are set out in S.I. No. 439 of 2003 and the document was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 23 September 2003.
The structure of the charges are such and the size, type, operation and requirements of vessels differ to such an extent that it is not feasible to estimate a likely annual additional cost per boat which would be in any way meaningful.
