Houseboat residents in the Dublin Docklands have said a plan to increase mooring permit fees by almost €7,000 a year is "unjustifiable".
The second phase of a public consultation on proposed changes to the bye-laws relating to canals and waterways is under way.
Waterways Ireland has described the existing bye-laws as "undisputedly out-of-date and unfit for purpose".
As part of a wide-ranging update to the rules, changes to fees and permits as well as registrations are planned.
It includes a proposal to increase the urban serviced houseboat mooring permit charge from a current rate of €578 a year to €4,000 annually and rising to €7,500 over a six-year period.
The residents of houseboats based in Grand Canal Dock would be among those impacted by the steep hike in fees.
Around 40 people, including families, currently live on river barges berthed at 20 serviced mooring points in the area.
Megan Willows-Munro said the increase would amount to a rise of almost 2,000% when fully implemented.
She said: "It's just not realistic, sustainable or doable."
"Families just can’t cope with that sort of increase," she added.
Residents, many of whom have been living on houseboats in Grand Canal Dock for more than ten years, said the move could push people into homelessness.
Ms Willows-Munro said members of the small community are "100% at risk of immediate displacement if these fees go up that much".
"It's just in bad taste in the middle of a housing crisis, and at the same time, it makes us a very vulnerable group," she said.
Another resident David Blacoe said while they accept it is time for increase to the yearly fees, the rates being floated are excessive for "a parking space for a boat".
He said: "The most important thing to remember here is the boats are people's homes. We're not renting those from Waterways Ireland. In fact, a lot of people here have taken out loans as you would with a house or an apartment."
He said he does not believe that point has been taken into consideration.
"I fear that the proposed €7,500 in a few years time is just going above and beyond what's actually required for the area," he said.
Mr Blacoe said he believes "it compounds the problem that we're seeing elsewhere in Dublin".
"The housing crisis is prevalent. It's in the news every day. And what we're doing here is a very sustainable way of living. It's somewhat affordable," he added.
He called on Waterways Ireland to engage with the Grand Canal Dock residents and Irish Residential Boat Owners Association "in a meaningful manner".
Maria MacMullan, who lives on a houseboat with her husband and son, said the proposal to increase the permit fees "is not justifiable" and risks breaking up a community.
She said: "It’s a flagrant disregard and disproportionate increase amount. Essentially what we're all asking for as a parking space with a limited amount of service.
"There's a whole lifestyle attached to how we live, low carbon living. If anything with all the governmental policies they should be incentivising this kind of life on the backdrop of homelessness."
Ms MacMullan said the community is "not against proposing a reasonable price but that's the thing, it has to be reasonable".
She said it "cannot be gentrification and displacing of a whole community".
The Inspector of Navigation at Waterways Ireland said no final decision has yet been made on the level of the increase to the mooring fees.
Patrick Harkin said: "It is correct to say that there's been no definitive decision made.
"We are putting forward proposals for €4,000 in year one, with an incremental increase over a six-year period but we are inviting all submissions."
Mr Harkin said during the first consultation phase Waterways Ireland received 933 submissions.
"We took a lot of those on board and made changes accordingly, and we will do the same in phase two."
He said proposals were received from the residents in Grand Canal Dock in early January.
"At the end of our phase two, which is on 26 February, we will be taking onboard their submissions along with all of the other submissions and then putting forward proposed bye-laws to the department and minister."
Mr Harkin said the proposed charges are less than what was recommended in a review by KPMG and they are also lower in comparison with other countries.
He said the figures were reached based on "looking at things like the services in Grand Canal Dock and also looking at things like demand."
Mr Harkin said: "We have a waiting list of 270 for Grand Canal Dock, while we have planning permission for 20.
"So, taking it in the round, we believe that the figure of €4,000 in year one is a realistic figure for a houseboat in fully serviced jetties in Grand Canal Dock."
Mr Harkin said the services provided through Waterways Ireland to houseboat residents include "security, bins, refuge removal, water, electricity and sewage pump outs as well".
"In addition, they are provided with fully serviced jetties and with Waterways Ireland staff on call to rectify any issues," he added.
The proposed changes to the bye-laws are due to be discussed by the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on Tuesday afternoon.
Representatives from Waterways Ireland, the Royal Canal Amenity Group and the Irish Residential Boat Owners Association will make submissions to the committee.
