Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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52. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development for the period 2021 to 2030; when the plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25048/23]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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My question specifically relates to a report. I am asking the Minister about the status of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development for the period 2021 to 2030. Where is the plan? Has it been published? If not, when will it be published and what are the reasons for the delay?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2022, I approved the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development following a public consultation process and subsequent refinement. The plan establishes a vision for Irish aquaculture up to 2030, which reflects the common direction set out in the EU's strategic guidelines for more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period. It visualises a sustainable, profitable, competitive, and market-focused aquaculture industry making the maximum long-term economic and social contribution to coastal communities and the country as a whole, while optimising environmental performance and supporting the natural capital upon which it depends. The sector maintains a competitive advantage through low-impact production while building commercial resilience through technical innovation and diversification. This, in turn, supports a more diverse consumer and market base aligned to increased recognition of Irish aquaculture's growing status as a key provider of sustainable, low carbon and healthy food.

To realise our ambitions, four high-level objectives have been established including, first, building the resilience and competitiveness of Irish aquaculture; second, participating in the green transition; third, ensuring social acceptance and consumer information, and; fourth, increasing knowledge and innovation. Under these objectives a total of 58 actions have been developed. These actions include but are not limited to, supporting, for example, the roll-out of a user-friendly online aquaculture licensing and information system, otherwise known as AQUAMIS; supporting the development of designated marine area plans, DMAPs, for the inclusion of aquaculture; increased focus on fish welfare; more vigilant and responsive monitoring of aquatic diseases and food safety risks; supporting innovation; providing co-ordinated messaging on the sustainable, low-carbon nature of Irish aquaculture production; and developing a comprehensive human capacity plan for Irish aquaculture.

The plan has been through a process to ensure it is ready for publication and accessible to all stakeholders. It is due to be brought before the Government and published before the end of the second quarter this year.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for the clarification that the report is to be published at the end of the second quarter. The other plan ran out two and a half years ago and the Minister has still not given me an explanation for the delay in publishing this plan. It is very difficult to follow it. I took a particular interest in seaweed when I came in here, as did my colleagues, and a motion was passed by the majority of the Dáil which recognised the absence of a sustainable policy for the seaweed industry. That was 2018 and we are now in 2023. I have all of this information before me and I am desperately trying to get my head around reports. The plan has not been published yet and the Minister is now saying it will be published at the end of the second quarter. Then we have a plan from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, that was published in May. It refers to the national plan that has not been published yet. It is a little bit bewildering for me, even though I am well able to read and get my head around it, but I have not been able to gather where we are going with this. I get very worried about the ongoing model of development based on profit, but that is an argument for another day.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I take Deputy Connolly's point. There is a sense of urgency in terms of finalising the publication of the report. As I say, it is going to be published by the end of this quarter. In the meantime, we have seen significant supports and work for the development of the aquaculture sector.

In July of last year I announced a €20 million sustainable aquaculture growth scheme, which is providing stimulus for aquaculture businesses to grow and meet the growing demand for Irish seafood. My Department’s European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF, seafood development programme was adopted by the European Commission in December 2022 and that funding provides for public interest projects of benefit to aquaculture as well as direct supports to the industry, facilitating the realisation of actions in the national strategic plan.

I absolutely accept the urgency of having this published. I take on board the point Deputy Connolly made on the length of time this is taking. We want to see it concluded and that will be done and published by the end of the second quarter.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I welcome that. I also welcome the work of the former Minister of State, Deputy English, in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in relation to seaweed. My difficulty is that we have a Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, report referring to and outlining a report that has not even been published and that we have not read. That is one difficulty. The second difficulty is that we are operating in a vacuum. Friends of the Irish Environment has drawn to our attention allegations in relation to unsustainable harvesting of seaweed down in the Kenmare special area of conservation. Has the Minister had any interaction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to that and around seaweed being cut unsustainably by a company? I mention this because we have known for a long time that there is a vacuum in policy and legislation, especially in the areas of seaweed and wool that have huge significance and possibilities for sustainable development and going forward with transformative action on the west coast of Ireland from Donegal down to Kerry. Yet, we are going from report to report. We have difficulty finding them and there are delays in publishing them. There is a vacuum. It is very difficult and frustrating when we see the possibilities and we are being told of the possibilities. I mentioned one of them because the Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett, is beside the Minister. These are wonderful and positive opportunities.

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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The last word is to the Minister.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Connolly. I checked with my Department to see if there has been any engagement on the issue of seaweed in that location. I will ask the Department to revert to the Deputy directly. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue today. Our aquaculture sector does not get enough recognition or discussion in the Chamber, or indeed recognition in wider society around its potential. The Deputy is absolutely right that it must be done in a way that is sustainable, in a way that integrates with the environment around it, and fully accounts for that. That is the objective of the new strategy as well. I look forward to its publication in the second quarter, and to building on its potential from there on.