Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his position on budget proposals for the European Fisheries Fund; the areas he is prioritising for the 2007 to 2013 regime; if he is seeking national specific measures on fisheries to be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The European Regulation to establish the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) was discussed at last week's EU Fisheries Council but agreement was not reached. I understand that the proposal will be considered again by the Council in the early autumn. There was broad support for many of very many of the actions provided for in the proposal and I am satisfied that the new legislative framework will support the necessary restructuring and development of Ireland's seafood sector.

The period of the 2000-2006 NDP has seen the beginning of the process of restructuring and transformation of the fisheries industry across all its sectors as it adapts to changing conditions. Our key strategic goal to 2013 must be to ensure the long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability of this industry, and maintain the value of its activity to the coastal and rural communities who rely on it, as well as to the economy as a whole. This will require the targeting of investment so as to achieve the highest possible level of value generation within the seafood industry. To achieve this, it will be necessary to take integrated, market led action to improve competitiveness and profitability across all sectors of the industry — sea fishing, aquaculture, processing and marketing, and at each stage of the value chain.

The next step is to develop a detailed programme of investment for the seafood industry as a whole, through which the funds to be available under the forthcoming EFF can be utilised to best advantage and, which is in line with our commitments under the European Common Fisheries Policy. This will be done in consultation with the key industry stakeholders.

In order to inform this process, I have announced plans for the development of a comprehensive strategy to take the sector forward and inform funding priorities for the 2007-2013 period. The development of this strategy will involve a number of key elements including, the appointment of an independent leader of the strategy team, and the holding of regional meetings to hear views from all parts of the sector. There will also be a forum which will bring together industry representatives, key sectoral players and experts from the food and related sectors.

I have forwarded draft terms of reference for this strategy to industry representatives and the Joint Oireachtas Committee for their comments.