John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason there is a 12% drop in the level of funding allocated to fish processing in the Estimates for 2007 in view of the nature of the fishing industry here at present; his views on whether this area requires increased, not decreased, investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39855/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The allocations in the Estimates are based on multi-annual proposals for seafood processing which were prepared last year and reflects the expected grant aid needs based on previous years performance.

As the Deputy will be aware, I appointed an independent Seafood Strategy Review Group in June under the chairmanship of Mr Noel Cawley to devise a strategy for a sustainable and profitable Irish Seafood industry over the period 2007 to 2013. The development of the seafood processing sector is regarded as a key component of this review. The review will, I understand, set out the actions necessary to develop an efficient and competitive seafood processing sector and will identify the additional funding requirements to deliver the strategy set down in the report. I expect to receive the report in the coming weeks and will carefully consider its recommendations and the additional funding requirements. I will pursue additional grant aid funding where I consider it necessary to deliver on this development strategy.