Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe freisin. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeadh siad ag teacht inár láthair agus go mbeadh deis cur agus cúiteamh faoin tuairisc seo.

I welcome the delegates back to the committee. I am not a full member of this committee. However, I think it is important that we keep on top of this issue. I share the delegates' disappointment that despite more than a year having passed since the publication of the report, little has been done on it. It is a very good report and its recommendations are very practical. I agree that it is disappointing that there has not been more action on the recommendations.

From the committee's point of view, it is important that I ask whether any of the recommendations have been implemented. A heritage licence is one recommendation, but which of the other recommendations should be prioritised? We should have departmental officials attend and put them to the pin of their collar to determine why this is not happening or what progress has been made. Perhaps there has been some, but we should find out what it is in order that we can relay it to the witnesses.

On a recent delegation to Brussels, we raised with Commission officials the issue of the heritage licence. They told us that the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, EMFF, seemed like it would be a useful mechanism for implementing the likes of a heritage licence. We referenced the report in detail, a copy of which the officials had seen, and asked whether any of its recommendations could not be implemented in Ireland. They saw no major issue with any of them. In terms of the funding mechanisms for a number of the recommendations, however, they stated that they would have to examine EMFF proposals before allowing applications for funding further down the line. A hearing with the Department on the EMFF guidelines might be useful. I understand that it is drafting them currently by using Brussels' guidelines and putting an Irish slant on them. They will outline what schemes will be available under the EMFF. Which recommendation would the witnesses prioritise for funding through the EMFF or other mechanisms?

An issue pertinent to the islands has arisen since the report was conducted, namely, the Leader funding of Comhar na nOileán. Another source of funding of which islanders are able to avail, it is hanging in the balance and no one is clear how matters stand. What are the implications for the fisheries industry and people living on the islands? Perhaps we should address the matter and add further recommendations relating to it.

A number of people have raised issues about fish farming and aquaculture. The Minister has stated that, since entering office, he has issued no aquaculture licences. Do the witnesses have comments to make on any proposal affecting the islands that may have been made in this regard?