Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

This issue has been raised by one of my own colleagues for some time. The contract for producing ice for fishermen at the ice plant in Dingle is held by BIM, and it ends at the end of this month. At the moment, there is no clear resolution on who will take over that ice plant to ensure that there is a consistency of supply of ice to the fishing industry. It is ultimately the responsibility of BIM, during the transition, to ensure that fishing interests in the town are safeguarded.

We are looking to extend the current contract, whereby BIM would continue to operate the ice plant until we have a satisfactory alternative to take over that ice plant, which will be offered by tender to another operator. I hope that operator will be a consortium of fishing interests in the area to ensure that the ice plant remains intact.

BIM has made a strategic decision to get out of ice provision for good reason, namely, its current limitations on staff. This is new to Dingle, but it is not new nationally. BIM has got out of ice production and put in place an alternative structure for providing ice to fishermen in other ports. I hope that we will be able to do the same with the co-operation of fishing interests and stakeholders in the Dingle area. It is in everybody's interests that there is a consistent supply of ice there.

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