asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if it is proposed to set up a harbour authority to serve the Howth harbour; and if he will include local interested bodies on the board of such authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Howth (Dublin) Harbour.
6.
At present the Commisioners for Public Works are by statute the harbour authority for Howth harbour. Consequently any proposal relating to the administration of the harbour is a matter for the commissioners.
When the harbour is declared a fishery harbour centre, the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry will be solely responsible for the management, control and operation of the harbour in accordance with section 4 of the Fishery Harbour Centres Act, 1968. There is no provision under the Act for the appointment of a board to manage the harbour.
Would the Minister agree that a harbour authority consisting of local interested bodies would be of great assistance to the harbourmaster in promoting the harbour generally?
I am prepared to accept the Deputy's point of view. However, I should like to point out that this would involve legislation. The Minister for Fisheries and Forestry has no powers under which he can set up a harbour board. It might certainly be of benefit if the local interested parties were involved in the operating of the harbour, but there is no legislation for such a board.
I am sure the Minister is aware that there are local interested groups in the Howth area who have been very helpful to the Department in the setting up of the Howth harbour development generally. I know that the legislation is not there at the moment, but would the Minister meet those interested parties with a view to setting up a harbour authority when the necessary legislation is introduced?
I should like to meet everybody in relation to the fishing industry generally, yes. There is no reason why I should not. What we Ministers are there for is to serve the public.