Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49016/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is extensive. As such, my continued focus as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine will be very broad and will encompass a wide number of areas of policy. I will continue to implement Programme for Government commitments, work with all state agencies, through the High Level Implementation Committee, and private sector groups in furthering the Food Harvest 2020 strategy for smart, green growth of the Irish agri-food sector. 2015 will be a very significant year for the dairy sector, presented by the ending of milk quotas in 2015 and this will be a key priority for me and my Department. I have recently appointed a Committee to work on the development of a new agri-food sector strategy to 2025 and this will be published in 2015.

Clearly, the implementation of the CAP pillar 1 basic and greening payments worth over €1.2 billion to Irish farmers will be a key focus for my Department in 2015. Equally, the approval and implementation of the new co-funded Rural Development Programme (CAP pillar 2 worth over €4 billion) will be at the forefront of the work taking place within my Department.

On the marine, the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy, negotiated during the Irish Presidency of the EU will be very important, as will the continued implementation of the Harvesting our Ocean Wealth Strategy, through the Marine Co-ordination Group.

There are a wide range of other developments taking place across my Department including but not limited to areas such as the new Forestry Programme 2015-2020, plant health, food and feed safety, continued development of the horseracing industry, trade developments, sustainability in agriculture, agri-food research, animal welfare and the continued development of an innovative agri-food sector which maximises its contribution to economic renewal and job creation.

I can assure the Deputy that my focus as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine will continue and I will ensure all aspects of my brief will continue to be supported and prioritised.