Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I compliment the Minister of State on the work the Department is doing, especially for the aquaculture industry. I acknowledge the huge contribution that industry has made in terms of generating employment and revenue. The industry is worth about €100 million annually and thousands of people are employed in the sector, particularly in coastal areas where there are few alternative employment opportunities. I fully support the development of the aquaculture business as well as the Department's plans to expand further the industry, creating more employment and revenue, and generating expanded economic prosperity, especially in coastal areas.