Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

From the outset, this operational programme has been delayed 20 months. If that is not a definition of incompetence, I do not know what is. The Minister of State has just said it has not held up funding, but that is incorrect. I have been contacted by fishermen from Dungarvan and Sneem who applied for grants which were approved, but they will not get funding until the operational programme is in place. It is clear that issues need to be addressed in terms of the Minister of State's Cabinet colleagues and their objections. The industry needs to know urgently how long it will take to resolve those issues.

The Minister of State referred to a meeting he had with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, but has he a timescale or a deadline in mind as regards getting the operational programme up and running? What is the situation in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the sea lice? There was a meeting last week, but what is the up to date position? We want this resolved so that it does not hold up proceedings at a later date.

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