Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will publish the Government's response to the EU's Maritime Green Paper; if he has recommended measures in the Government's response to secure the pay and conditions for workers in the maritime sector across the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11350/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Consultation on the EU Maritime Green Paper, which I launched on 31 January, concluded recently following a very successful National Conference. The National Conference on the 6th March brought together well over 100 stakeholders from across the various maritime sectors. There were a number of interesting and lively discussions and both Commissioner Borg and I were impressed by the quality of the contributions.

The inter-departmental committee, which has been established to oversee the national consultation and to prepare a Government position on the Green Paper, is currently examining the submissions received, of which there are almost 50, with a view to submitting a draft national position to Government in April. This will facilitate a timely response to the European Commission in April at which time it will be published.

On the specifics of pay and conditions for workers in the maritime sector, this is an issue for my colleagues the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment. Both of their Departments are participating in the ongoing process of drafting a national response and their input, along with the views expressed during the consultation process, will form the basis of the national response on that section of the Green Paper.

As you know the Green Paper cuts across many different sectors and it represents a significant challenge to develop an holistic approach across such a range of issues. However, given the importance of maritime policy for Ireland, Minister Dempsey and I are committed to ensuring that the Irish response to the European Commission is of consistently high quality and makes a significant impact on the development of EU maritime policy.