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Parking Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Questions (526)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

526. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has been briefed on any proposals to introduce parking charges in Howth Harbour, County Dublin; his views on any such proposals in view of the fact that local people believe that such a move would be devastating for marine leisure and tourism businesses in Howth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56367/12]

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Written answers

Howth is one of 6 Fishery Harbour Centres operated by the State each of whose primary purpose is to provide facilities and services for the fishing industry and fisheries-related activities.

In parallel with fishing-related enhancements, there have been a number of developments at the Fishery Harbours in recent years that underpin their expanding use for leisure and marine tourism, as well as other maritime enterprises.

As a consequence, there has been significant capital investment in the Fishery Harbour Centres and the State must necessarily be fully committed to maximising the return on its investment.

For that reason, all income generated by the Fishery Harbour Centres goes back into a ring-fenced Fishery Harbour Centres Fund which is used exclusively for the operating and management costs of the Fishery Harbours.

The introduction of parking charges at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre was originally examined some years ago in the context of a proposed Howth Traffic and Parking Management Plan, in conjunction with Fingal County Council. That project did not subsequently proceed; however, it is generally acknowledged that traffic and parking management within the Fishery Harbour Centre itself needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

As I have said, the Fishery Harbour Centre is first and foremost a working fishery harbour. As such, full access is required for commercial traffic servicing the fishing side and the various ancillary enterprises, with appropriate parking arrangements. Other harbour users such as the yacht club and other social users also require reasonable access to parking facilities. It is essential that the needs of both sets of users are accommodated in a safe and secure facility.

A significant number of the parking spaces in Howth Fishery Harbour are currently being taken up by commuters using the DART service during the working week, when the DART station car park is full. I have received submissions from interested parties from time to time that have pointed to the high level of leisure and amenity use of Howth in general both at weekends throughout the year and during the week in the summer months. However, the volumes of traffic currently parking at the Fishery Harbour, both during the working week and at weekends, are creating significant health and safety risks, to the extent that on some occasions access for emergency service vehicles is compromised.

A number of traffic and parking management enhancements are being carried out at present, and further improvements are in planning. These measures will have cost implications and I am required to ensure that the Fishery Harbour Centres are run on a financially sound basis. It is in that context that it is proposed to make a charge for the use of parking facilities provided within the Fishery Harbour Centre, in the same way that a charge is made for using any of its other facilities.

I am convinced that the revenues generated by the introduction of such charges will provide the funds to develop and enhance the Fishery Harbour Centre for all its users.

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