Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress Údarás na Gaeltachta has made, in view of the fact that the Cawley report has recommended that Údarás na Gaeltachta be the lead agency with Bord Iascaigh Mhara in developing aquaculture, since the publication of the strategy report and the recommendations within; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33270/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In the first instance, I wish to inform the Deputy that responsibility for matters contained in the Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group (The Cawley Report) rests with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Údarás na Gaeltachta has, however, since its inception, taken a lead role in the promotion and development of aquaculture, seafood processing and other marine related projects in the Gaeltacht. In addition to the acknowledgement of Údarás' strategic role in the Cawley Report, it is worth noting that the Marine Institute, in its own report on the development of the marine resource sector, Sea Change — A Marine, Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland, recognises the role of Údarás as a partner for the implementation of many of the recommendations in that report. I understand also that a key implementation role for Údarás in the Gaeltacht is envisaged in the National Strategic Plan for Fisheries 2007-2013, which was formally submitted to the European Commission in November 2007 by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Against this background, Údarás continues to promote the aquaculture and fish processing sectors through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance Operational Programme (FIFG) and other funding, and I understand that a number of projects have been approved for funding since the publication of the Cawley Report.