Calls for reduced rates for fishermen operating out of harbour covered in silt for nine months of the year

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The plight of fishermen operating out of a harbour which is covered in sand for nine months of the year has been raised at the annual budget meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC). Noting that the council’s rates do not take into account locations where fishing isn’t possible all year round, Councillor Ger Carthy asked that some consideration be given to those in Carne and St Helen’s.

“There’s an annual charge of €530, but they don’t operate out of those harbours 12 months of the year, it’s been dredged there for the last 30 years,” said the councillor.

At this point, Cllr Carthy’s Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) colleague Cllr Jim Codd attempted to offer his support. However, that offer was dismissed out of hand.

“I’ll look after Carne,” insisted Cllr Carthy. “If they’re operating for three or four months then they should only pay for that time, we can’t expect the people to pay for something they can’t access.”

Eventually given the opportunity to speak, Cllr Codd agreed that it was unfair on those fishing out of Carne and St Helen’s.

“Despite Cllr Carthy’s reluctance, I’d like to offer my support,” he said. “The harbour silts up there, we spend a fortune dredging it but the tide there brings the sand back in, Carne is fishable for a very short period of time annually, the silting has crucified the fishermen there.”

Director of finances Lynda Lacey had a counter-argument, though.

“There are other areas, including Wexford town, where they don’t fish all year,” she said. “It would have huge implications if that price was reduced, there is limited income scope within the budget.”

"Comparing it to Wexford is unrealistic,” said Cllr Codd. “That harbour has water every day of the year, Carne has sand for many days, the boats can’t float out of there.”