Vol. 464 No. 4
48 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Marine the total amount of money negotiated by his predecessor under the Operational Programme for the Development of Fishery Harbours; if he has satisfied himself that it is sufficient to implement his programme for fishery harbour development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8244/96]
My predecessor negotiated a total funding package of £18.6 million (1994 prices) for the development of port infrastructure and facilities as part of the £144 million Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99. This figure of £18.6 million is being invested in three areas: £8.38 million will be invested in capital development works at strategically important fishery harbours and aquaculture landing places, £7.46 million in harbour development in Gaeltacht regions and a further £2.76 million in the further development of the national ice plant network.
The development of the sea fishing and aquaculture industries is a key element in the Government's strategy for expansion of the Irish economy and in particular the expansion of economic activity in the peripheral western regions. The provision of adequate fishery harbour infrastructure is an important element of that strategy. With the assistance of the European Regional Development Fund over the 1989-93 period, some progress was made in the development of Irish fishery harbour infrastructure. However, significant investment is still required to put the necessary harbour infrastructure in place to service our important sea fishing and aquaculture industries.
I am satisfied that the present funding levels are not sufficient to address these infrastructural needs and it is my intention to vigorously pursue additional funding for this area, particularly in the context of the mid-term review of the Community Support Framework for Ireland.
