Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the negotiations process with the European Commission on Ireland's operational programme on fisheries following the announcement in May 2008 of the rejection by the Commission of Ireland's operational programme for fisheries; the way this rejection will affect progress on implementing the Cawley report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18789/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Operational Programme (O.P) for Fisheries for Ireland has not been rejected by the Commission. As part of the normal consultative process for approval, the Commission adopts a negotiating position where it sets out how the OP should be improved and completed to meet the Commission's quality requirement for the programme.

The Commission Negotiating position was received on the 22nd of April 2008, officials from my Department met the Commission (DG Mare, DG Regio and DG Environment) on 24 April as part of the formal process in the consideration of Ireland's Fisheries Operational Programme 2007 — 2013.

The OP submitted to the Commission envisages the use of EU funds under the Fisheries Fund to support decommissioning of fishing vessels, aquaculture development and environmental/ inshore fisheries support. The total EU aid available under the Fisheries Fund for the period is €42m. My officials are engaging fully with the Commission to address the issues raised, with a view to agreeing the OP as early as possible.

A Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG), chaired by Dr Noel Cawley, has been established. This group is actively supporting and driving the delivery of the recommendations contained in "STEERING A NEW COURSE — Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007–2013" (the Cawley Report). It is not expected that the current process we are engaged in regarding the O.P will have any significant impact on the delivery of the recommendations contained in the Cawley report over the timeframe of the strategy.