Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the officials for appearing before the committee. With regard to the overall strategy so far, I ask them to pick out some of the key items on which we have made the most progress. I appreciate we have heard a presentation but I ask them to pick out three or four items that have been very much impacted and significantly developed as a result of the plan. What are the key disappointments of the strategy on which further progress needs to be made or which have not lived up to expectations so far?

With regard to the backdrop of Brexit over the past year or two, the threat has mitigated somewhat but what impact has it had on the work of the Department?

I want to focus on aquaculture and the significant frustration among people in the sector regarding the capacity to develop and expand it. What is the position in that regard? What is the Department's perspective on it? There is significant frustration at the time it takes to obtain a new licence. The industry is not developing in the way it could. Does the Department agree? Considerable energy and resources have gone into dealing with lapsed licenses and getting through the backlog. There is a significant aquaculture sector in County Donegal and those involved in it believe it could do much better but that it is not being supported. I ask the witnesses to comment on this.

With regard to harbours and ports, we have six national fishery harbours. I would like to ask about local authority owned harbour resources and the funding allocation for them, which is very minor and impedes their capacity to be maintained and developed. I would like to hear the Department's perspective on this because it is something that needs to be addressed.

There is a need for a second marine training sea pool. There is one in the south of the country. An application is on hold with regard to Greencastle fisheries school. Significant investment was made in applying for planning permission for a sea training pool in Greencastle and I would like an update on this. I would like to hear the Department's perspective on it and its plans to move forward with it.