Dáil debates

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Priority Questions

Fishing Industry Development.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in finalising the operational programme for fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20644/09]

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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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 operational programme has already commenced and has funded the 2008 decommissioning scheme which has allowed 46 boats to be decommissioned with grant aid totalling €36.6 million already paid or in the process of being paid over 2008 and 2009.

The National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 was advertised for public consultation in October 2008. Following this consultation process, issues were raised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the Central Fisheries Board regarding the grant-aiding of projects where environmental issues arise relating to compliance with the EU birds and habitats directives and sea lice control on salmon farms.

This Department and its agencies, working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, developed a 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.

A meeting between representatives of this Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and agencies, and DG Environment took place in Brussels on 13 May 2009 to discuss the plan with a view to securing DG Environment's support for the approach set down in the plan. DG Environment advised 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. When these matters have been satisfactorily addressed, DG Environment expects to be in a position to respond formally on the plan at an early date.

This Department is also in discussion with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to inform it of the significant progress made on managing sea lice levels on salmon farms. I am hopeful that the concerns raised have been satisfactorily addressed and that we will be in a position to adopt the national operational programme for fisheries in the near future. The delay in the launch of the national seafood development operational programme has not held up grant-aiding aquaculture developments in 2009 as the European Commission have agreed to the continuation of grant aid under the 2000 to 2006 operational programme until 30 June 2009. A provision of €5 million has been made for aquaculture development in the Agriculture Vote for 2009 and I have approved the spending of €4.5 million of this for aquaculture projects in both the BMW, and south and east regions under the 2000 to 2006 operational programme which will assist the continued operation of aquaculture projects in these areas and the employment that they support.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There is potential for significant job creation in the seafood sector and in particular in the shellfish sector. While I note what the Minister of State said in his latter comments, I can give examples of companies with development programmes and grant approval which cannot be paid those grants and therefore cannot progress with investment and job creation in the sector because of the delay in approving the national seafood development operational programme. We are now in 2009 - two years into the programme. Owing to ideological wrangling between the Green Party Ministers, Deputies Eamon Ryan and John Gormley, and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Tony Killeen, jobs are not being created and are even being lost. Market opportunities particularly in France and Italy are being lost. I ask the Minister of State to put a deadline on the matter. When will we see the interdepartmental ideological wrangling between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party come to an end so that the sector can fulfil its potential and create desperately needed jobs?

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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It would be inaccurate to describe the situation as wrangling between the parties of Government. A December 2007 European Court of Justice judgment on Natura sites impacts very negatively on the situation we are trying to address. I welcome the level of co-operation that has been possible between this Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has enabled us to present a lengthy document to the European Commission to advance all these matters.

The initial response from the Environment Directorate General to our meeting of 13 May was positive, subject to clarification of a number points, and we are confident in our ability to deliver. I concur with Deputy Creed in regard to job creation potential and want to ensure that is realised at the earliest opportunity.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Minister of State to put a timeframe on this. Does he expect to complete interdepartmental negotiations and have the programme approved by the end of June or July? I can give an example of a company in County Waterford which is ready to double its workforce in this sector provided it receives the grant aid for which it has been approved but cannot be paid because of the Department's failure to get sanction from Brussels. Two years into the work, we are led to believe an interdepartmental group has been convened. What is the timeframe for resolving the issues so that investment can proceed?

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The interdepartmental group was set up in January 2008 immediately following the European Court of Justice ruling.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It was announced again recently.

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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An enormous amount of work has been done in the intervening period to address the serious issues arising from the judgment against Ireland. Following the meeting of 13 May, I am confident the substantive issues have been addressed. Like Deputy Creed, I have travelled around the country and am familiar with a number of areas which have potential for job creation. Every effort will be made to ensure we get a positive reaction in the shortest possible timeframe.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Will that be in one month?

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, setting a date is one of the most dangerous things one can do in politics.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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After two years, that is not a satisfactory response.