Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2014
151. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person with responsibility for developing the commercial elements of Howth and the other major harbours under his Department's remit; and his views on whether a dedicated business manager could be appointed to focus on developing the commercial viability of major Irish harbours. [17022/14]
View answer152. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to address the current lack of on-site marine repair facilities at Howth harbour. [17023/14]
View answer153. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main tenants of units at Howth harbour and the leases underpinning their occupancy of these units. [17024/14]
View answer154. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to fill vacant facilities at Howth harbour with marine related local businesses; and if there is a detailed development plan within his Department for Howth harbour. [17025/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 154, inclusive, together.
My Department has responsibility for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel and Killybegs.
Responsibility for policy decisions in relation to other major harbours rests with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Howth Fishery Harbour Centre has a fully operational boat yard and synchrolift which is available to all users of the Fishery Harbour Centre. Users of the boat yard can, subject to relevant Health and Safety and other requirements, commission contractors with the expertise required to carry out repairs on their vessels.
Properties located in the Fishery Harbour Centres are, when appropriate, offered for tenancy under lease agreement by means of an open competitive tendering process in accordance with good practice and public procurement guidelines.
In 2013, my Department held public competitive tendering processes for vacant sites in three Fishery Harbour Centres namely Howth, Castletownbere and Killybegs and plans with regard to potential future uses for vacant properties at the Fishery Harbour Centres are kept under ongoing review by my Department.
My Department currently has in the region of 50 property agreements in place in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. The terms, which may differ, are individual to each agreement.
