John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps that will be taken with regard to the fleet decommissioning of €66 million promised in the Government's National Seafood Strategy, in the coming months to put in place this decommissioning programme; the approximate time frame for the implementation of this programme; when fishermen can expect to be able to apply for the scheme, be declared eligible, decommission their fleets, and be given payment; the person who will be in charge of administering this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7129/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the strategic report on the seafood sector, Steering a New Course, was launched by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on January 28 th 2007. The next round of decommissioning forms a very important element of the strategy. The next stage in the process is the establishment of the Seafood Strategy Implementation Group, which will be tasked with developing and overseeing a detailed implementation plan. I have issued invitations to the various stakeholder representative groups for nominees for this Implementation Group. I would wish to have the Group in place and active by late March 2007 at the latest.

As the Deputy knows, Dr. Noel Cawley has accepted our invitation to become the independent chairman of the Seafood Strategy Implementation Group.

As I have stated the next round of decommissioning will be very high on the Group's agenda and will receive its full attention once it is sitting.