andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry how he expects to effect the following expenditure reductions in his Department for which provision has been made in the Book of Estimates; (a) £288,000 less in the BIM grant-in-aid and (b) £5,000 less to Fishery Harbour Centres funds; and if he will outline the implications of this for the operations of Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fisheries and Forestry Estimate Reductions.
8.
The allocation shown in the Book of Estimates conform with the overall allocations decided by the Government and the necessary steps will be taken to ensure that they will not be exceeded.
It will be a matter for An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, in consultation with my Department, to decide on the utilisation of its allocation for current expenditure.
Is this the first step in the running down of BIM and is it not a fact that at the boat show due to take place in the spring BIM will spend £1,500 and the Department will spend over £7,000 on displays?
I do not see any dilution in the role of BIM or their input to the industry. I am aware that the Department will be involved in the boat show but I am not sure about BIM. The Deputy seems to be more acquainted with their plans than I. I am happy with BIM and their workings but the Deputy seems to have expressed the opinion that they should be completely restructured. I am sure everyone could do a little better and I hope they will in the coming year.
Let me put on record that it is the board which should be restructured. The Minister is aware that there is a cut back of £288,000 to BIM this year and I understand that advisory and development work will not be carried on at the same pace as last year. Will the Minister give the House a guarantee that this will be put right and that at least the same amount of development and advisory work will be carried out?
The board of BIM, in consultation with my Department, have not yet decided on the various operations to be carried out from current expenditure. I do not see that any dilution will take place or that they will be less effective this year than last year.
The Minister is aware that BIM do the agency work for the boat show. Why is this being taken over this year by the Department?
I am not aware that there is any difficulty or divergence of opinion whatsoever between BIM and the Department regarding the boat show. I am anxious that the Department should play a very big role because it is an international boat show.
A final supplementary from Deputy Begley.
Will the Minister give a guarantee to the House that there will not be any redundancies in BIM during the coming year?
I think I am in a position to give that guarantee.
Questions Nos. 9 and 10 are for written reply. Question No. 11.