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. Details of the revised charges are set out in the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2003, SI No. 439 of 2003.
The harbours operate under the Fishery Harbour Centres Acts 1968 to 1998. The Act requires the harbours to fully meet their costs from rates, tolls and other charges. The charges at fishery harbour centres were last increased in 1990. The 2002 draft accounts for the harbours show an operating deficit of €544,990 and the accumulated deficit stands at €1.2 million.
The proposed charges were published on 21 May 2003 with a statutory consultation period of 21 days, which ended on 10 June 2003. Prior to publication, the charges were advised to the representatives of the main fishing organisations at a meeting on 20 May 2003. A subsequent meeting was held in July with representatives of the harbours and the industry.