John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I welcome this statement by the Minister because moving BIM to within the Department would be like moving the IDA to within the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It is important that it be a stand-alone body. In that regard, it is welcome that Minister will carry out a review. This is an opportunity to reform BIM, but it should remain a stand-alone body. It does tremendous work and it is important that this be recognised. It has a major role to play in the development of the fishing industry.

Because I was a Minister of State in the Department, a number of fishermen have raised with me the closure of the ice plant in Dingle last August. When will it reopen? It is very important that it be reopened as quickly as possible. I do not know why it closed. I do not know whether it was closed by the Minister or the Department. Fishermen tell me that under Fianna Fáil they, at least, had ice, but under Fine Gael they have none.

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