Vol. 482 No. 7
7 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will give details of the research and development undertaken by his Department; the funding allocated in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18998/97]
My Department is responsible, through the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99 and the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry 1994-99, for the funding of research and development programmes for the marine sector and forestry. Total expenditure on research and development under these programmes will amount to £13.2 million.
Research and development under the Operational Programme for Fisheries focuses on the key areas of fisheries and aquaculture, national marine survey, marine technology development and marine food processing. Funding under the programme has also supported the acquisition of the first purpose-built Irish marine research vessel and is supporting significant upgrading of marine research laboratories. In the case of the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry, research and development is co-ordinated by the Council for Forest Research and Development, COFORD, and covers matters ranging from nursery technology to end-product development in the sawmilling and wood-based panel sectors.
Funding is also provided by my Department for research undertaken by the Marine Institute and the Salmon Research Agency. The Marine Institute carries out essential programmes to underpin management decisions and policy including fish stocks assessment, aquaculture research, fish health and marine environmental issues. The Salmon Research Agency is focused on research activities such as the selective breeding of salmonids, rearing techniques and census work on wild populations. Funding for research by the two bodies amounts to £2.609 million in 1997.
My Department also engages bodies to undertake research on forestry matters related to the implementation of the Forestry Development Programme. This research is aimed at matters such as the improvement of forestry management and timber products. Expenditure on this research in 1997 will be approximately £550,000. Specific research on matters relevant to their specific remit is also undertaken by a number of other agencies under my Department's aegis, including Bord Iascaigh Mhara on matters such as fishing gear technology, and the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards on matters such as water quality.
Targeted applied research and development is essential to ensure Ireland realises the development potential consistent with sustainability from its natural resources. It is a priority for me to ensure the ongoing development of the sectors for which my Department is responsible is underpinned by well-focused value for money programmes of research and development. I am also committed to firmly locating research and development in marine and natural resources within the overall national science technology and innovation framework and in maximising opportunities for our scientists in EU-funded science and technology programmes.
The Minister said that expenditure on research and development amounts to £13.2 million. He listed a range of activities in the fisheries area but did not quantify investment in research. He said that funding for research in one area of fisheries is £2.6 million, with an investment of £550,000 in another area. Is further funding being made available under the headings not identified? When will the results of research and development be published? The future of the industry depends on proper research and investment by the Government and particularly by the EU.
An increase is provided for in the current Estimates for research, which is very important. The Marine Institute and other bodies publish full reports on the research in which they are engaged, which are particularly valuable, and from time to time I make statements on individual projects. I accept it is important to communicate the work being done, which is to a high technological level. Harland and Wolff in Northern Ireland are anxious to co-operate with us in the research of wave movements on the Continental Shelf. That will assist them in the design of FPSOs, floating production storage and off-loading vessels. In future, instead of using derricks, they will favour floating vessels which will store and off-load production and will also be used for oil exploration. That is dependent on what happens below the ocean, and the work we have been doing is relevant to that. Research is being carried out in co-operation with that company, which is an interesting development. That highlights the work done here, which is recognised internationally as of a very high standard.
From his experience of funding available under the operational programme, will the Minister prepare submissions for additional funding from the EU for research and development, which is vitally important to the industry?
The Estimates provide for additional studies to be undertaken in fisheries, including conservation, the total allowable catch and salmon studies, on which I have received a report. I expect to base proposals for next season on that report. Those proposals are currently being examined. This is an area in which the previous Government made investment and that investment is being continued and increased.
