John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the implications of the EU agreement on €4 billion fisheries fund for the National Strategic Plan; and the plans he has put in place for the allocation of the fund. [26597/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way the recent agreement on the European Fisheries Fund has impacted on his aquaculture strategy; his targets for the growing Irish aquaculture production up until 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26640/06]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the agreement on the new €4billion European Fisheries Fund; the level of funding the Irish fishing industry and coastal communities will receive under the EFF; the level of funding on an annual basis between 2007 and 2013; the amount which will be allocated to young fishermen, aquaculture, Leader-type initiatives in coastal communities and stock conservation measures under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26626/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 106 and 117 together.

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.

Detailed priorities for all areas of the industry including 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.

I launched the Seafood Strategy Group at the Fish Ireland Exhibition on Friday last. This 3-person Strategy Group will lead the review of the seafood sector including, engaging in detailed consultation with all stakeholders and to come up with a visionary Seafood Development Strategy. This strategy is to feed into the National Strategic Plan required by the EFF and in turn the new National Development Plan that the Government is drawing up for the 2007-2013 period. It is vital that the needs of the Seafood Sector are reflected in the new NDP so that the sector can access the necessary development funding in coming years.

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.

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 EFF can be utilised to best advantage and, which is in line with our commitments under the European Common Fisheries Policy. Allocation of these funds to the various sectors and initiatives has not yet been agreed. This will be done in consultation with the key industry stakeholders as outlined above.