Paid car-parking in Howth harbour, in north Dublin, remains under consideration as part of an overall review of traffic management arrangements, Minister of State for the Marine Tom Hayes has said.

He told the Seanad the department was asked to review the position in a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General and a related report of the Committee of Public Accounts.

This was in conjunction with other fishery harbour centres, with a view to increasing income-generation possibilities, he added.

“However, income generation is not the only factor to be considered in deciding whether paid parking should be introduced in Howth,” Mr Hayes said.

“There is a broad range of other factors to be taken into account before a final decision will be made on the matter.”

Mr Hayes said, most importantly, the harbour’s safe operation was of paramount concern. “In this context, traffic management and parking is recognised as an issue, particularly though not exclusively during the busy holiday periods,” he added.

Mr Hayes was replying to Independent Senator Averil Power, who opposed the introduction of charges.

Ms Power said Howth was not just a fishery harbour. “It is also a major tourism, sport, leisure and community resource,” she said.