Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Government Programme.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

126 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine ine and Natural Resources the specific commit ments, if any, set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium which have been implemented in full; the commitments, if any, implemented in part; the commitments, if any, initiated; the commitments, if any, yet to be initiated and implemented by his Department. [15042/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

Considerable progress has been achieved to date in relation to commitments fall ing within the remit of my Department, which were set out in the Government's An Action Pro gramme for the Millennium. Developments to date are set out in the following table:

Action Programme Commitments	Progress to date
Support development of sustainable Forestry Industry.	Code of Best Practice for all stages of forestry management being drafted.
	CAP afforestation grants and premiums were increased by 13.5 per cent from October 1997 in respect of grants and from January 1998 in respect of premiums. Measures aimed at accelerating these payments have been introduced.
	Plans to improve the promotion of forestry are being discussed with Teagasc and the private sector.
Set out a coherent strategy for the sea fishing industry and fight to retain our existing fish quotas while securing effective EU recognition of the special needs of Ireland to defend our marine territory.	Won important increases over EU Commission fishstock proposals for Irish fishermen.
I have ensured that there will be no reduction in the size of the Irish fleet in 1998. Funds set aside for decommissioning can now be used as part of a modernisation package for the whitefish fleet.
	In negotiations with EU and Norway 19 per cent (10,000 tonnes) increase in Ireland's total allowable catch for mackerel was secured for 1998.
	EU agreement secured on new measures to monitor and control fishing activities in western waters and new technical measures to reduce the amount of juvenile fish being caught.
Seek to upgrade the Irish fleet and to make the industry attractive to providers of capital by examining the provision of tax breaks and subsidised loans.	The inclusion in this year's Finance Act of special tax based reliefs to encourage capital investment into the whitefish fleet has been secured.
Seek EU assistance to modernise the whitefish fleet	Under the Fisheries OP support is being provided for an £11 million investment in the modernisation of the fishing fleet. The package provides £3.5 million in EU and Exchequer aid for 112 fleet modernisation projects.
and
Implementing the recommendations of the Fishery Vessel Safety Review Group.	Yesterday I announced a major funding package to revitalise the whitefish fleet. It will facilitate the introduction of new vessels — modern secondhand vessels, as well as the modernisation of existing vessels and the provision of safety equipment.
	There has also been progress in implementing the Safety Review Groups recommendations in the areas of safety training, on-shore marine radio communications and safety awareness.
	As soon as possible I intend to introduce comprehensive safety regulations for fishing vessels and their crews.
Seek to ban flags-of-convenience vessels from Irish waters.	At EU level I have succeeded in winning agreement to additional monitoring measures, including the introduction of satellite surveillance and real-time catch reporting on entry to and exit from the Irish zone.
Maximising the amount of fish processed to a second or highest level.	I have approved grant aid facilitating investment of over £3.25 million in the processing sector. Investment will create additional employment in this sector.
	I am at present examining the scope for additional funding to support the expansion of capacity in the processing sector.
Developing aquaculture in a fair, equitable and environmentally conscious way.	Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, I have introduced new aquaculture licensing arrangements including the establishment of a statutory Aquaculture Licences Appeal Board. The new measures will come into effect on the 30th June, 1998.
	Establishment of an Aquaculture Industry Forum to facilitate and enhance communication between the aquaculture sector and the State agencies, as well as the Department.
	Strategic Review of the Irish Aquaculture Sector is currently being commissioned by the Department.
Provide adequate funds for the development of inland fisheries.	A new Bill, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, which will reform inland fisheries management and institutions is being prepared.
	The Central Fisheries Board Five Year Strategic Development Plan has been launched.
	A special £250,000 promotional programme has been put in place for 1998.
	I have established a new pilot catchment management scheme to develop and protect our inland fisheries resource.
	Action Plan on Pollution Prevention and response has been drawn up to provide for rapid response to fish kill incidents and damage to water quality.
	£1.3 million investment package in tourism angling has been announced to achieve sustainable growth in tourism angling and increase the number of annual visitors by over 60,000 by the year 2000.
Protecting and developing our coast through Coastal Zone Management.	Comprehensive discussion document on Coastal Zone Management published in December, 1997. Submissions on discussion document were received from interested parties and a public consultation seminar was held. The submissions and seminar will inform the process of devising a comprehensive and co-ordinated National Coastal Zone Management Policy and Implementation Framework for Government approval later this year.
Developing a comprehensive policy for the shipping industry.	Task Force to examine seafarer training has been set up.
	1998 Finance Act has included income tax concessions for seafarers aimed at making seafaring, especially on Irish flagged vessels, more attractive and competitive.
	A comprehensive fiscal scheme for the Irish Shipping Sector and seafarers has been put in place which, along with the special income tax consessions, includes a PRSI refund scheme for employers and corporate tax concessions for the shipping industry.
Develop a strategic policy for commercial harbours.	Independent consultants were appointed to undertake a systematic review of efficiency, costs and charges for maritime transport services at commercial seaports. The review was completed in May 1998 and includes all commercial ports.
	A review by the Department of the efficiency and relative costs for maritime transport services at commercial sea ports has also been completed and is being taken forward in the context of corporate governance of the State port companies.
Transferring small harbours to local control and to develop marine leisure activity.	The Marine Institute has completed a national plan for the placing of moorings for leisure craft at strategic locations around the coastline. I have awarded foreshore licences for a number of these moorings.
	The Marine Institute is currently preparing a national plan for marinas.
	My Department will undertake a review of the strategic options for the management of declining regional ports including the transfer of small harbours to local control to develop marine leisure activities.
Implement recommendations of National Minerals Policy Review Group.	A general scheme of legislation to address immediate issues is being prepared and will be submitted to Government shortly for authority to draft. More comprehensive legislation to, inter alia, implement some outstanding recommendations and to consolidate various mining Acts will be considered with a view to preparing a scheme for submission to Government at the end of 1999.
	In October 1997, I granted a State Mining Lease for a major zinc and lead mine at Lisheen, County Tipperary. Construction is well under way and production is scheduled for the latter half of 1999. Peak construction employment is 700 jobs and some 300-350 will be employed when maximum production is achieved. Combined with Galmoy mine in County Kilkenny, Irish zinc and lead output will double as a result.
Maximise the benefits to the Irish economy of oil exploration and discoveries.	Oil companies hold a total of 28 licences at present for exploration of the Irish offshore. Present exploration activity is centred around the Atlantic margin.
	In addition to the exploration activity a programme funded by the companies licensed during the Rockall Round, which closed in December 1997, is in operation (the Petroleum Infrastructure Fund). The programme, which has a budget of £4.8 million during the first four years of the licences, will provide for infrastructural support for hydrocarbon activities in the Irish offshore as a whole, and for regional data acquisition and research in the Rockall Trough.
	The closing date for the South Porcupine Licensing Round has been set for the 15th December next. A significant number of applications are expected. It is proposed to expand the Petroleum Infrastructure Programme under the Round to include relevant work related to the Porcupine.
	At present, a case on the delimitation of the continental shelf is being prepared. This case will then be submitted to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in order to have the outer limit of our continental shelf internationally recognised. It is expected that the outer limit will extend beyond the area currently designated.
	I will continue to promote, regulate and monitor the exploration for oil and gas in our offshore and onshore areas. However, the oil industry is extremely competitive and both the global oil and energy situation and the outcome of activities in Ireland will have a significant influence on the level of interest here. In the light of these developments the Minister will continue to review policies to ensure that a balance is struck between meeting the requirements of the exploration industry and protecting the interest of the State.