asked the Minister for the Marine if he has had any discussions with the EC Commission regarding industry allocation of FEOGA grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
28.
Written Answers. - Aquaculture Industry.
12.
asked the Minister for the Marine the steps his Department are taking to tailor Irish applications for aquaculture projects in 1988 to suit European thinking on grants under the structures policy; his views on the latest tranche; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Question No. 12 and Priority Question No. 28 together.
I am determined to ensure that the Irish aquaculture industry and individual projects within it are presented in the best light when submitted for FEOGA grant-aid and I have undertaken a number of initiatives to this end. I will come back to this point.
May I advise the House at the outset that I was disappointed at the level of grant-aid approved for Irish aquaculture projects in the December 1987 tranche and have conveyed my disappointment informally to the commissioner on several occasions. I also raised the matter at the Council of Fisheries Ministers in December last year.
In his response the commissioner has referred to the five year duration of the present structures regulation and suggested that funding would even out over this period. In the December 1987 tranche, Ireland secured 6 per cent of total FEOGA aid available and this figure had risen to 10 per cent in the most recent April 1988 tranche. I will, nevertheless, continue to press for an increased level of funding.
On specifics, my Department have had detailed discussions with the European Commission in relation to the criteria and methods used in Brussels to assess projects for grant-aid. On foot of that exercise my Department will be drawing up detailed guidelines to assist in the presentation of projects. In addition, my Department, together with Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Údarás na Gaeltachta, will ensure that proper technical and economic evaluations of projects in Ireland are submitted to Brussels.
I am convinced that aquaculture is a candidate which sits well with the European commitment to target peripheral regions and, as indicated, our efforts to secure adequate funding will not be spared.