Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures, in view the European Commission's concerns regarding Ireland's operational programme for fisheries application, he is taking to ensure the programme is salvaged; the discussions he has had with other Departments to ensure any action necessary is taken without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19898/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The national strategic plan for the Irish fisheries sector for the period 2007 to 2013 was prepared and approved by the Minister on 26 November 2007 and was subsequently submitted to the Commission on 28 November 2007. The plan sets out a programme of support for fisheries in line with the seafood sector review group report, the Cawley report, Steering a New Course — Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013, which was launched by the Taoiseach on 28 January 2007. The funding provisions for the strategy were set down in the National Development Plan 2007–2013.

The Department and Bord Iascaigh Mhara drew up an operational programme for fisheries for Ireland to implement the policies and priorities to be co-financed by the European Fisheries Fund. This operational programme, submitted to the Commission on 6 March 2008, envisages the use of EU funds under the European Fisheries Fund to support the decommissioning of fishing vessels, aquaculture development and environmental and inshore fisheries support. This only forms part of the commitment to support the sector as set down in the national development plan.

As part of the normal consultative process for approval, the Commission adopts a negotiating position whereby it sets out its observations and recommendations with regard to improving the operational programme. This negotiating position was received on 22 April 2008. Officials from the Department met the Commission on 24 April as part of the formal process in the consideration of Ireland's operational programme. The issues raised by the Commission were mainly procedural or editorial in nature. Disappointment was expressed at the exclusion of measures under the Axis 4 pillar of the European Fisheries Fund in respect of "sustainable development of fisheries areas". At a meeting between the Commission and officials of the Department on 24 April, acknowledgement was given to our commitment for implementing these measures through State-aided funds, as outlined in the national strategic plan. Notwithstanding this, the Commission continued to press for its inclusion under the operational programme. The Commission also expressed concerns over Ireland's implementation of certain EU directives on the environment in the context of providing EU funding under the operational programme for aquaculture development.

These issues are being dealt with interdepartmentally by officials from this Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Officials are fully engaged with the Commission with a view to bringing the consultation process to a successful conclusion and getting the operational programme approved as soon as possible. The Commission's observations in that regard will be considered fully.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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On 22 April the Department was made aware that the operational programme was rejected. I tabled a parliamentary question recently and the response suggested it was not so aware. The former Minister stated that we face a bigger problem in that the operational programme for the fishing industry was rejected by the Commission. It was rejected on 22 April, a month ago. The Minister of State referred to meetings that have been held in the four weeks since the rejection. What progress has been made since? The former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food quite squarely laid the blame on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, yet the operational programme for fisheries falls within the remit of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Yesterday, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, referred to the report on the habitats directive, the shellfish waters directive and the water framework directive. I ascertain from this that considerable work must be done in this regard such that it will be acceptable to the Commission.

The Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, referred to an interdepartmental group. What progress has it made? Ireland is the only country in Europe that does not have an operational programme for fisheries. The Minister of State spoke about the Cawley report. How can we possibly implement its recommendations? It is almost June and half the year is nearly gone, yet no operational programme has been agreed and there is no money to be drawn from Europe. This has implications, in respect of which I will quote the former Minister.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy is not allowed to quote.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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She stated that other small schemes, such as the REP scheme, which are co-funded or exclusively funded by the European Commission, will be affected.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy and other Members will appreciate that in the normal course of events, the Commission puts forward its position, on foot of which there is toing and froing at official level and fairly frequently at ministerial level, as in this instance, to address the outstanding issues. It is not helpful to blame the Commission, Departments or various directorates general at Commission level. The position is that Ireland is committed to delivering on the operational programme. It is consulting the Commission and we intend to bring the discussions to a constructive conclusion as soon as possible.

The meeting of which the Deputy spoke was less than a month ago and it would simply be impractical to expect the outstanding issues to have been dealt with since then.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Can we have a timeframe? What will be the cost to the State?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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It is very difficult to give a timeframe for any of these issues, as the Deputy will be well aware. I assure him that the Department and I are committed to ensuring we progress the discussions on the operational programme as speedily as possible.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Will it be in 2008?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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We must also take account of the fact that we are trying to achieve objectives and are working against the background of the Cawley report and other information and realities pertaining to the fishing industry. It would be far better to spend a few weeks or, at worst, a few months longer trying to achieve the appropriate outcome. Judgments must be made on this as we proceed to deal with the issues that arise.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Will it be this year?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I call Deputy Andrew Doyle.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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It will be next year, I am afraid.