Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

On 22 April the Department was made aware that the operational programme was rejected. I tabled a parliamentary question recently and the response suggested it was not so aware. The former Minister stated that we face a bigger problem in that the operational programme for the fishing industry was rejected by the Commission. It was rejected on 22 April, a month ago. The Minister of State referred to meetings that have been held in the four weeks since the rejection. What progress has been made since? The former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food quite squarely laid the blame on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, yet the operational programme for fisheries falls within the remit of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Yesterday, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, referred to the report on the habitats directive, the shellfish waters directive and the water framework directive. I ascertain from this that considerable work must be done in this regard such that it will be acceptable to the Commission.

The Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, referred to an interdepartmental group. What progress has it made? Ireland is the only country in Europe that does not have an operational programme for fisheries. The Minister of State spoke about the Cawley report. How can we possibly implement its recommendations? It is almost June and half the year is nearly gone, yet no operational programme has been agreed and there is no money to be drawn from Europe. This has implications, in respect of which I will quote the former Minister.

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