Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in finalising the Operational Programme for Fisheries 2007-2013; if his attention has been drawn to the consequent delay in processing grant applications for the sector and the employment opportunities lost in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17239/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The draft Seafood Development Operational Programme was advertised for public consultation in October 2008. Issues were raised by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of CFB (Central Fisheries Board) regarding the grant-aiding of projects where environmental issues arise relating to compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and sea lice control on salmon farms.

My Department with its agencies working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has developed a plan to deliver compliance with the EU Birds and Habitat Directives for wild fisheries and aquaculture over a determined timeframe. This plan has been submitted to DG Environment for consideration. I have also met with EU Environment Commissioner Dimas to promote a resolution of these difficulties.

A meeting between my Department, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Agencies and DG Environment is to take place in Brussels on 13 May to discuss the plan with a view to securing DG Environment's support for the approach set down in the plan. My Department is also in discussion with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to inform them on the significant progress made in relation to managing sea lice levels on salmon farms. I am hopeful that the concerns raised have been satisfactorily addressed and that we will be in a position to adopt the Operational Programme for Fisheries in the near future.

A provision of €5m has been made for aquaculture development in the Vote for 2009 and to date I have approved the spending of €3.8m of this for aquaculture projects in both the BMW and S&E regions under the 2000-06 OP which will assist the continued operation of aquaculture projects in these areas and the employment that they support.