Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1259. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he received a report on the consultation conducted regarding licensing additional boats for visitor boat trips from Howth Harbour; if so, when a decision on this is likely to be taken; and how the additional slots will be allocated to potential providers of the service. [1430/24]
View answerMy Department invited interested parties to contribute to the public consultation on the matter of passenger vessel licences/permits at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre from July 20th until September 16th, 2022. The consultation sought to gather the views about how additional permits could be awarded and what factors should be taken into account in managing the permits.
The low response (six submissions) to the consultation is considered statistically too small to be relied upon as an accurate reflection of the views of all stakeholders. However, the responses have shown there is a desire within the industry for safer, more professional, and more tightly organised operations among the passenger vessel operators.
With this in mind, my Department has widened the review to passenger vessel licensing practices in each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres and is preparing a policy proposal for the coming season. I look to receiving this soon.
