Vol. 420 No. 1
18 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any plans to set up joint ventures with foreign processors for the manufacture of Irish processed fish products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Department have in place a comprehensive development programme for the fish processing sector. This programme is aimed at the building of a strong internationally competitive fish processing industry, the optimum utilisation of fish supply, the maximisation of value-added and the creation of self-sustaining employment.
Under the programme, support will be principally directed to companies with the necessary resources both financial and managerial to best achieve the objectives of the programme. Both existing and new enterprises may participate in its implementation. The programme is open to Irish and foreign companies. Joint ventures could be particularly relevant in the context of gaining access to overseas markets.
The aim of the plan is to create directly and indirectly some 1,100 new full and part-time jobs in the industry.
In this regard, I am glad to inform the Deputy that I have recently approved an operational programme for fish processing and marketing involving nine projects with a total investment of £7.14 million and which is expected to generate 185 new jobs.
