James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason no rural development proposal under Axis 4 was made under the operational programme for fisheries for the benefit of coastal communities; if his Department will consider one in view of recent Commission views on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19604/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The draft Operational Programme (O.P) for Fisheries for Ireland, submitted to the Commission envisages the use of EU funds under the European Fisheries Fund to support decommissioning of fishing vessels, aquaculture development and environmental/inshore fisheries support, specifically a small number of Co-Financed measures under the pillars of axis 1, 2 and 3. 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. This 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 observations of the commission on the content of the operational programme will be fully considered.

It is important to note that, as outlined in the National Strategic Plan for the Fisheries Sector (2007-2013), measures under Axis 4 are planned as Non-Co Financed (ie State aided). These predominantly socio-economic sustainability measures will be implemented by BIM with the assistance of local development networks such as Leader. I am fully committed to the introduction these measures, the benefit of which will be of great import to Coastal Communities. BIM have the primary responsibility for the implementation of the measures and are consulting with LEADER with a view to putting in place the best possible delivery mechanisms to ensure that the coastal communities dependent on fishing are given the best support.