Seán Barrett
Question:2 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Marine if he will appoint representatives from the fishing industry to the BIM review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - BIM Review Group.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:47 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give the membership and terms of reference of the group established to review BIM; the reason no representatives of fishermen were appointed to the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 47 together.
The membership of the group established to review BIM is as follows:
Chairman:
Mr. Eamonn Doherty, Former Garda Commissioner.
Members:
Mr. Tadhg O'Donoghue, Chairman, BIM and Senior Taxation Partner, Craig Gardner, Price Waterhouse.
Mr. Patrick Cummins, Head of Rural Economic Division, Teagasc.
Mr. Frank Ward, Solicitor, Frank Ward and Company.
Mr. Tom Carroll, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Marine.
Ms Sara White, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Marine.
Dr. John Thompson, Principal Officer, Department of Finance.
Mr. Greg Heylin, Department of Enterprise and Employment.
The terms of reference of the group are as follows: "To review the role and functions of BIM as the principal State Development Agency for the sea fishing and aquaculture industries"; and "To review the management structures, funding, efficiency and effectiveness of BIM."
The review will take account of: submissions and recommendations from the industry; Government policies and objectives; European Community policies and objectives; and the roles and functions of other State agencies as they relate to the sea fishing and aquaculture industry.
The review will consider the sea fishing and aquaculture industries developmental roles and functions of BIM which may more appropriately be carried out by the Department of the Marine or other State agencies and vice versa.
The group will report to me during 1994 on their findings and will make such recommendations as they consider necessary or appropriate with regard to: BIM's role and functions; improvements in the management structure and operations of BIM; the funding of BIM, including funding from industry sources; and any legislative changes required having regard to the findings and recommendations.
As regards industry representation, I am committed to the inclusion of industry representatives on the group and to full consultation with the industry on all aspects of the review. The process of consultation on the question of agreed nominees is continuing and no deadline has been put on the timing of the making of such a nomination.
I should mention that I have received representations from a wide range of organisations in the fishing, processing and aquaculture sector and the boat building sector as well as from a major trade union. In total, it has been proposed that some ten additional names should be added to the membership. Deputies will appreciate that to so increase the membership would render totally ineffective the work of the group, but, as I have said, I am open to some increased representation and in this regard consultation will continue.
My question was to ask the Minister if he would appoint representatives from the fishing industry to the BIM Review Group and I am pleased to hear him say he is open to suggestions. On what basis will he seek representatives from the industry? Would he agree that it appears there are divisions within the industry and that this is an ideal opportunity to bring people together from all sectors of the industry so as to provide a united front in developing a very important and valuable industry which can create a large number of jobs in parts of Ireland where employment is extremely scarce?
I have responded to the wishes of the industry. The terms of reference of the BIM Review Group clearly indicate that the fishing industry will be consulted. I also added in my press release that a representative or representatives of the fishing industry would be included on the review board. However, I received so many requests for representations that if all those individuals and organisations were represented, the board would be quite unworkable. In the final analysis it will be a matter for the chairman of the board, former Garda Commissioner, Mr. Eamonn Doherty, to decide what sector or sectors will be representative of the industry.
I would not like to give the impression that because there is a delay in appointing a representative or representatives, the industry is in some way disunited. At the December Council of the fishing industry I held back full implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy by my refusal to accede to Spain and Portugal's absolute access to our waters. I received marvellous support on that occasion from the various organisations representing the fishing industry, who were very united in the national interest, and I pay tribute to them in that regard. I hope that a representative or representatives will be nominated in a short period of time.