Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I want to raise an issue regarding the State's only Integrated Coastal Zone Management Initiative, that is, Bantry Bay Charter, which has been in operation in west Cork since 1997. It was set up under EU guidelines in conjunction with UCC, CIT and Cork County Council and brought together a number of competing interests regarding the use of the coastal zone in that area.

Cork County Council has been funding this initiative to the tune of €50,000 per annum. The entire cost of running it is €179,000 per annum. Various Departments have refused to continue to fund this initiative, which was largely recognised by scientists and marine experts alike as being unique in Europe in terms of the delivery of its service.

About a year ago the then Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Fahey, visited west Cork and gave a commitment to pass on the handling of coastal zone management to senior staff in his own Department.