Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
563. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take action in a case (details supplied) where a registered fishing company has been refused storage at Howth Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33508/23]
View answerFishers are accommodated with appropriate net or pot storage at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. Such facilities are organised by making contact with the Harbour Master who works with the users on practical matters like this. I understand that the company in question has accepted an offer from Bord Iascaigh Mhara under the Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme and accordingly it may not be clear what the future needs to the company are going to be as regards storage of fishing gear.
A number of Harbour Users who had been operating from former shipping containers were written in July 2021 to advise that area must be vacated by May 2022 and that permissions to continue in the containers would no longer be forthcoming. Those advised included shipwrights, painters, fleet maintenance services, recreational users and fishers. The context for this is the ongoing development of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre as a modern, 21st century fishing port with all relevant services operating from appropriate facilities. An investment of €940,000 was made in new, purpose built units at Boatyard Lane and relocation was offered to only shipyard services such as shipwright, painters and fleet maintenance services to transition to these dedicated units, in keeping with the planning permission for these units. This is part of the important strategy of creating a dedicated vessel services hub, capitalising on the syncrolift service adjacent to the Boatyard Lane.
