Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to save the Dingle ice plant in view of the fact that it is a vital part of the infrastructure for the fishing industry in the greater Dingle area. [17602/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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I would like to acknowledge the great co-operation I have received from the Minister to date on this issue. The ice plant is a strategically important facility in the town of Dingle. Local councillor, Councillor Seamus Cosaí Fitzgerald has been very active on this issue as well. Can the Minister give a guarantee that the contracts for the two workers in the ice plant, which are due to expire tomorrow, will be extended for the two months required to allow for a smooth transition to an alternative operator of the ice plant?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am not in a position to give that guarantee at the moment. My Department has applied to the Department of Finance, which is the body that can give sanction to extend a contract like that. My Department cannot do that. We made that application today. BIM requested that our Department do it and our request has gone to the Department of Finance. I am hopeful that we will get a quick response so that we can give BIM the breathing space to make the transition, as I have already outlined.