Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his investment and product targets and plans for the development of the aquaculture industry here during the period of the next National Development Plan to 2013; his targets for production of fish in tonnes; his views on the key species which should be developed; the levels of employment which may be obtained; and his further plans for protection of the environment as the industry develops. [23569/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The central strategic goal of the new NDP 2007- 2013 must be to ensure the long term economic, social and environmental sustainability of the seafood industry as a whole, thus maintaining the value of its activity to the coastal and rural communities who rely upon it, and to the economy as a whole.

With regard to future priorities for aquaculture under the NDP 2007- 2013, given that Ireland is no longer a low cost economy, constant improvement in efficiency is required of this sector for it to remain competitive. Key to achieving this will be the application of technological innovation to further develop environmentally sustainable techniques, including organic farming, and achieve successful diversification into new species, while ensuring the highest international quality standards are met.

Detailed priorities for aquaculture will be defined as part of the development of the overall programme for investment in the seafood sector under the new NDP, taking into account the final form of the European Fisheries Fund, which was agreed at the EU Fisheries Council on 19 June. In order to inform this process, I have proposed 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.