Fishery Harbour Centres

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Questions (1593, 1594)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1593. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the permit parking arrangements at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre for persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands, the consideration that has been given to the inclusion of vehicles taxed as “motor caravans”, particularly if they are the applicant’s only means of transport on the mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13861/23]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

1594. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason vehicles taxed as motor caravans are not included under the permit parking arrangements at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre for persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands; if he will provide details of the policy underpinning the exclusion of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13863/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1593 and 1594 together.

Permit parking is being provided at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre by my Department for privately taxed vehicles owned by persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands. This follows from consultation with the three Island Committee Representative Groups and their desire to have islander access to the Fishery Harbour Centre car park facility. This replaces a car park operated under licence until 2021 by the Committees on behalf of the islanders.

Motor caravans are not permitted to park overnight, primarily for health and safety reasons, in what is first and foremost a working fishery harbour. This is the position for each of the 6 Fishery Harbour Centres and is permissible under the Fishery Harbour Centre (Management, Control, Operation and Development) Bye Laws, 1979.

Question No. 1594 answered with Question No. 1593.