Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Second Stage debate on this Bill. The background to all of this and the difficulties that have arisen with the Bill stem from a major failure of Government. Following the general election in 2007, the Government decided to transfer responsibility for the sea fisheries, aquaculture, marine engineering and research, foreshore licensing for all aquacultural developments and foreshore licensing for certain activities, other than those identified in the Bill, to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Some two years on, we are now transferring these functions, with the exception of those relating to agriculture, back to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

It will be important for the Minister to meet the Irish Insurance Federation and come up with a formula whereby the Government can advance money to people who will receive insurance awards to enable them to get works under way. Many people throughout the country have been forced from their homes.

The Minister should elaborate on the ECOFIN meeting, the level of funding he envisages, when it will be made available and the purposes for which it can be used. Does he agree the €10 million in funding he intends to provide is grossly inadequate?

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