Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 520: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the manner in which Irish modulation moneys have been used to date; the way they are to be used in the future; if a mart (details supplied) could be facilitated by these monies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15245/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the EU regulatory requirements modulation funds must be spent exclusively on what are referred to as the new challenges. This means that Member States are limited in spending these funds to operations and activities relating to (a) climate change, (b) renewable energies, (c) water management, (d) biodiversity, (e) restructuring of the dairy sector and (f) innovation linked to activities under points (a) to (d). The effects to be achieved by the spending of modulation funds is also prescribed and must be directly connected with these areas.

All Irish modulation funds have been allocated to the AEOS Scheme and this utilisation of the funds has been approved by the EU Commission. Even if modulation funds were available it would not be possible to fund a livestock mart having regard to the limitations on their use.