Fungi ferrymen hit out over harbour charges

Ferry owners who take tourists to see Dingle’s iconic dolphin, Fungi, have claimed they will be put out of business if new harbour charges are introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Jimmy Flannery, chairman of Dingle Boatmen’s Association, which represents eight ferries, said the proposals would result in a trebling of charges per vessel from €2,500/3,000 to €8,500/9,000.

The bottlenose dolphin, which has been in Dingle for almost 30 years, is a key tourist attraction in the area and an industry has been built up around it, with 18 people employed in the ferries.

Local studies show tens of thousands of visitors come to Dingle to see and swim with Fungi.

The proposed fee increases apply to the six fishery centres of Killybegs, Co Donegal; Rossaveal, Co Galway; Castletownbere, Co Cork; Dunmore East, Co Waterford; Howth, Co Dublin; and Dingle.

A public consultation process is underway and submissions have to be lodged before April 20.

Mr Flannery urged people in Dingle to object, describing the proposed charges as “ridiculous and laughable”.

He said the ferries would have to cease operations if the charges are imposed.

“Another issue is that the charges would have to be paid in advance. Up to now, we pay the charges in September or October, towards the end of the season,” he said.

“But, we couldn’t afford the new charges at the start of the year. We would be in arrears from day one and the minister would also have the power to seize vessels which had not paid up.”

The Dingle ferries, he argued, were being put in the same category as much larger passenger ferries which operated throughout the year and which were subsidised.

Mr Flannery also said there were serious implications for yachts using marinas, which could be faced with an 800% increase in charges.

A department spokes-person, meanwhile, said the department is willing to meet members of the Dingle Boatmen’s Association to discuss their concerns and provide any necessary clarification, as part of the public consultation.

“The draft has been published following a review of the existing rates and charges order and is currently the subject of a public consultation process,” the spokesperson said.