Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take over the running of the ice plant in Dingle, County Kerry, from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which is due to close on 30 June 2011. [14822/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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BIM is an independent statutory body with operational responsibility for the ice plant network. In 2009 Bord Iascaigh Mhara undertook a review of the ice plant network operated by the Bord. The review concluded that due to the continued decline in sales and the fact that the network was operating at a significant loss there was no realistic alternative to closure of the plants.

This decision reflects the recommendation of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (Volume II: Detailed Papers- Programme A – Agriculture Food & Fisheries policy trade and development), where as part of a range of cost cutting measures, the Report proposed that the ice plant network, which includes the Dingle ice plant, should be closed in favour of a more market based approach.

I am informed that, in the interim, Bord Iascaigh Mhara has been working on an orderly withdrawal from ice manufacture to help both minimize disruption to the seafood industry and allow the industry to prepare for the change.