Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The national strategic plan for the Irish fisheries sector for the period 2007 to 2013 was prepared and approved by the Minister on 26 November 2007 and was subsequently submitted to the Commission on 28 November 2007. The plan sets out a programme of support for fisheries in line with the seafood sector review group report, the Cawley report, Steering a New Course — Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013, which was launched by the Taoiseach on 28 January 2007. The funding provisions for the strategy were set down in the National Development Plan 2007–2013.

The Department and Bord Iascaigh Mhara drew up an operational programme for fisheries for Ireland to implement the policies and priorities to be co-financed by the European Fisheries Fund. This operational programme, submitted to the Commission on 6 March 2008, envisages the use of EU funds under the European Fisheries Fund to support the decommissioning of fishing vessels, aquaculture development and environmental and inshore fisheries support. This only forms part of the commitment to support the sector as set down in the national development plan.

As part of the normal consultative process for approval, the Commission adopts a negotiating position whereby it sets out its observations and recommendations with regard to improving the operational programme. This negotiating position was received on 22 April 2008. Officials from the Department met the Commission on 24 April as part of the formal process in the consideration of Ireland's operational programme. The issues raised by the Commission were mainly procedural or editorial in nature. Disappointment was expressed at the exclusion of measures under the Axis 4 pillar of the European Fisheries Fund in respect of "sustainable development of fisheries areas". At a meeting between the Commission and officials of the Department on 24 April, acknowledgement was given to our commitment for implementing these measures through State-aided funds, as outlined in the national strategic plan. Notwithstanding this, the Commission continued to press for its inclusion under the operational programme. The Commission also expressed concerns over Ireland's implementation of certain EU directives on the environment in the context of providing EU funding under the operational programme for aquaculture development.

These issues are being dealt with interdepartmentally by officials from this Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Officials are fully engaged with the Commission with a view to bringing the consultation process to a successful conclusion and getting the operational programme approved as soon as possible. The Commission's observations in that regard will be considered fully.

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