Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the sea fisheries output including the tonnage and the main species caught for each of the years 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 for harbours (details supplied). [23196/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be transmitted directly to him at an early date.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the percentage of the European catch Ireland's TACs for demersal, pelagic and shellfish represent from 2001 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23197/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the EU Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Ireland's quota as a % of this TAC for the years 2001-2005 are provided in the following table.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of people who are employed in the seafood processing industry for the years 2001 to 2005; the value of seafood exports for each of the years 2001 to 2005; the percentage increase or decrease in the seafood processing industry between 2001 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23198/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The number of people employed in the seafood processing industry for the years 2000 and 2005 are set out in table 1. Employment figures are not available for the intervening years. The value of seafood exports for the years 2001 to 2005 inclusive are set out in table 2. There has been an 9% decrease in the number of processing companies between 2001 and 2005 while employment in the processing industry decreased by 20% during this period.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the information he has received from the sea fisheries sector on the impact of rising fuel prices during the past two years; and the steps he will take to alleviate this problem for the fishing industry. [23199/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of rising fuel prices has been raised by the fishing industry on numerous occasions over the past two years, including at the meeting with EU Commissioner Borg last November and at the meeting with Minister Dempsey and myself on 8 May. It has also been discussed at Council level on a number of occasions, most recently in April 2006 when the Council discussed a Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on improving the economic situation in the fishing industry. This Communication considered both short and longer term options to improve the economic situation of the fishing fleet, including the restructuring of fleets to bring the fleet into line with available resources and the introduction of more fuel efficient fishing gear and engines.

I am fully supportive of the application of such measures to the Irish fleet particularly as it is probable that fuel prices are unlikely to revert to their previous lower levels. I have supported proposals that provide for grant aiding the introduction of the most energy-efficient engines under the new European Fisheries Fund, which is currently being negotiated and I am hoping that agreement will be secured at next week's Fisheries Council. I also consider that considerable research activity is required in order to identify the most fuel efficient equipment and practices and I have pressed strongly at Council for this area to be prioritised under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research (2007-2013).

I believe that there is a clear economic imperative, in addition to an environmental dividend, to support measures that improve the economic competitiveness of the Irish fleet.