Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Brian O'Shea as ucht an ábhar thábhachtach seo a chur os comhair na Dála agus deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt air.

Let me assure this House that I am actively working to address the current challenges and my objective is to have a scheme in place that will enable grant aid support to be made available to the sector in 2010.

First, it is important to note that funding support for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors comes under the European Fisheries Fund Regulations 2007. In Ireland, the seafood development measure contained in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 is divided between the EU co-funded operational programme and the national seafood development operational programme. The EU co-funded OP commenced in 2008 with the implementation of the decommissioning scheme and grant aid totalling €36.6 million has already been paid over 2008 and 2009 for the decommissioning of 46 boats. Following concerns expressed by DG Environment of the European Commission, it was agreed not to include an aquaculture development measure in the EU co-funded operational programme.

The national seafood development operational programme 2007-2013 draft was advertised for public consultation in October 2008 as part of the strategic environmental assessment. During the consultation both the Departments of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the Central Fisheries Board raised concerns regarding the granting of aid to projects where environmental issues arise relating to compliance with the EU birds and habitats directives and sea lice control on salmon farms. Pending resolution of these issues, the national seafood development operational programme has not yet been adopted.

The Deputy has raised the funding of the aquaculture sector specifically. The delay in the launch of the national seafood development OP has not prevented grant aid from being provided to aquaculture developments in 2009. The European Commission agreed to the continuation of grant aid under the previous operational programme 2000 to 2006 until 30 June 2009.

A provision of €5 million was made available for aquaculture development in the Agriculture Vote for 2009 and I approved the spending of €4.5 million of this for aquaculture projects in both the Border, midlands and western and the southern and eastern regions. This support has assisted the continued development of aquaculture projects in these areas and the employment that those projects support.

In the meantime, this Department and its agencies working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government developed a comprehensive plan to deliver compliance with the EU birds and habitat directives for wild fisheries and aquaculture over a determined timeframe. This plan was submitted to DG Environment for consideration and on 13 May 2009 a meeting between this Department, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, relevant agencies and DG Environment took place in Brussels to discuss the plan with a view to securing DG Environment's support for the approach set down in the plan. DG Environment advised at that time that it was, in principle, favourably disposed towards Ireland's plan, subject to a positive response to the issues raised and further clarifications from the Irish authorities on the details of the plan. However, it has recently advised that it remains concerned about the planned approach to delivering compliance for aquaculture licensing. The most recent views of DG Environment are being examined.

In relation to the concerns of the Central Fisheries Board, a meeting at ministerial level was held in June between this Department and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Following the preparation and consideration of a follow-up report, I intend to engage with Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, who has responsibility for inland fisheries, with a view to agreeing an approach that will give the necessary assurances to that Department so that it can withdraw its objection to the operational programme.

I will continue to work closely with all parties to drive both processes forward to deliver on and further develop the strategic change necessary to support Ireland's aquaculture sector.

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