Harbour Fees

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2013

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Ceisteanna (424)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

424. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the paid parking arrangements that are in place at Rossaveal Harbour, County Galway and Dingle Harbour, County Kerry; if he will also confirm if there are no businesses located within the paid parking area within Rossaveal Harbour and if users of Dingle Harbour use a code system that allows them to enter and depart the paid parking area for free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11254/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department operates a car park at Rossaveel Fishery Harbour Centre as a public amenity serving tourists and other members of the public using the ferries to the Aran Islands. There are a number of businesses operating within the boundary of the Fishery Harbour Centre at Rossaveel. The car park is also located within the boundary of the Fishery Harbour Centre. There are 276 spaces in this car park, which is managed by a professional car parking company on a revenue sharing basis. There are also three private pay car parks within the Fishery Harbour Centre operated by the ferry company, and the current parking rates for those car parks are not known.

Dingle was designated as a Fishery Harbour Centre in 2007. A paid parking arrangement is in place the Harbour, operated by Kerry County Council on lands leased to Kerry County Council by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. The Department has no role in controlling access to the Kerry County Council parking areas, or collecting parking dues.