Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Hayes for his presentation. I am trying to get my head around these guidelines in terms of how and to which types of funding they will apply. It seems from the presentation that anything under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the fisheries block exemption regulation is not covered by these state aid guidelines. Therefore, I presume it is only state funding outside any of those regulations to which these particular proposals would apply. Under the previous guidelines, no applications were made by the State to waive the state aid rules in this regard. Do the delegates foresee any such applications being made in the future under these guidelines?
Deputy Ferris referred to compensation for operators impacted by storm damage. Mr. Hayes referred to various terms contained in the proposals such as "adverse climatic events", "natural disasters" and "exceptional occurrences". I understand that natural disasters are already mentioned in the treaties. Is the notion of "adverse climatic events"something new that is being added? I am wondering what is the rationale for setting two different qualifications separate from the treaty element. Does Mr. Hayes see an opening to ease these criteria in some way to make them more beneficial for fishermen? In the light of the effects of adverse weather earlier this year, it would be helpful if the State could make better provision for those affected rather than having to keep it under the de minimis rules.
Mr. Hayes also referred to "elevated water temperatures over a long period" in the context of the proposals regarding adverse climatic events. Might these provisions cover fish farmers whose stock is affected by amoebic gill disease, which is caused by high water temperatures, thereby making them eligible for some degree of state aid?
My final question concerns what will actually constitute the state aid. In the case, for instance, of studies that have taken place on the proposed fish farm off the Aran Islands, would that constitute state aid and would it come in under these guidelines?