Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the recent new €2.2 million package to develop the Irish aquaculture sector; where these measures will be targeted; if he will bring forward a national aquaculture strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38842/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Given that there are a number of important issues facing the Irish aquaculture sector, €2.2m was recently identified within the BIM budget to support a number of technical initiatives.

The package will target six projects:

Technical Environmental Support Programme, TESP,

Resource Development Grant, RDG, Pilot Projects

Carrying Capacity Project

Technical Aqua Equipment

Technology Transfer Project

Salmon Ova Hatching Capacity.

These projects range from:

the interdisciplinary study of the carrying capacity of bays, which will estimate the level of aquaculture a bay can sustain, thus optimising the development of aquaculture in these areas;

to testing the potential impact of the use of renewable fuel sources, such as biomass, which would act as an alternative energy source to a sector highly dependent on electricity; and

the provision of biosecure salmon ova hatching capacity.

As regards the formulation of a National Aquaculture Strategy, the Seafood Strategy Review Group was established by myself and the Minister of State in June 2006 with the objective of consulting with all stakeholders, including the Aquaculture sector, to devise a strategy for the entire Seafood industry under the 2007-13 National Development Plan. The over arching aim of this Strategy will be to deliver a sustainable and profitable seafood industry in Ireland. I expect to receive the report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group within the next two to three weeks.

The achievement of this Strategy will require the taking of a set of integrated, market led actions to improve competitiveness and profitability across all the sectors of the industry — including aquaculture — by targeting investment so as to achieve the highest level of value generation.

Given that Ireland is no longer a low cost economy, constant improvements in efficiency are required of our Aquaculture sector for it to remain competitive. Therefore, our objectives going forward must be to further develop environmentally sustainable farming techniques, including organic farming, and achieve successful diversification into new species, while ensuring that the highest international quality standards are met.