Vol. 568 No. 5
304 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will withdraw the fishery harbour centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2003 until his Department has fully consulted with the fishing organisations on the proposal which will greatly add to the costs imposed on fishing boats. [16486/03]
Charges at fishery harbour centres were last increased in 1990 and are clearly in need of upward revision. The 2002 draft accounts for the fishery harbour centres fund show an operating deficit of €544,990 and an aggregate deficit of €1.2 million. Without a significant increase in income the deficit will increase rapidly as staff and other operating costs increase. The Exchequer meets the total capital costs of developing the harbours through the national fishery harbour development programme and is providing €28 million in 2003 for those purposes.
Proposed new charges at fishery harbour centres were published on 21 May 2003, with the statutory consultation period of 21 days provided for until midnight, 10 June 2003. More than 50 submissions were received and they are under consideration. Until such time as they have been fully considered, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
