Vol. 504 No. 6
1 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will be submitting BIM Seafood Industry Agenda 2000-2006 for consideration for funding under the next operational programme; if he will ensure that the modest funding requirement outlined in the document is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12368/99]
BIM's Seafood Industry Agenda 2000-2006 plan highlights the economic opportunities which a cohesive and innovative investment strategy can deliver for the Irish seafood sector and the communities which it supports. It sets a very ambitious agenda backed up by the necessary supporting analysis. I welcome the fact that the industry itself has given its full backing to this strategic approach as did Deputies in the course of the recent debate in the House on BIM's plan. BIM's programme over the period envisages a total investment of £364 million to which EU and Exchequer funding would contribute £198 million and the industry £166 million. This points to a new level of investment confidence within the sector itself. I am committed to working with the sector and BIM to build on the significant achievements to date and to move ahead with new and innovative strategies based on sustainability, quality, competitiveness as well as responsiveness to consumer needs.
In many key respects we have already begun to break the mould. We are delivering renewal of the whitefish fleet, increased investment in fisheries infrastructure, a new market driven focus on value added and marine research and development and new impetus for growth in aquaculture and fish processing. The challenge now is to secure the necessary investment support to consolidate and move ahead.
I will be working with Government colleagues to secure the necessary investment support in the next round to underpin the development of the Irish seafood industry and of the marine and natural resources sectors generally. BIM's Seafood Industry Agenda is a critical contribution to the current debate on national investment priorities. That debate is taking place in the context of overall stiff competition for resources and many national challenges, but I believe we have a convincing and well backed up case for funding support for the seafood sector.
Will the Minister be submitting the operational programme for funding? Will the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources be presenting any other document? Will the Minister give an assurance that it will be included in the national development plan? Would he agree that the Irish investment is estimated at £45 million which leaves £7 million a year for the operational programme? If there is a European Union deficit in the amount of funding, will the Minister make sure that funding for Ireland is increased accordingly? I want a definite commitment to put this into the national development plan for consideration.
It will receive serious consideration in the national development plan. A number of other proposals along similar lines have been put forward, including proposals from the social partners, endorsing what BIM is doing and adding to its proposals. All these proposals are being considered together by my Department and are being included in the overall proposal. It is important that there be a well focused presentation. The BIM proposal was excellent. The other submissions were also very good. They have to be brought together and focused in terms of the main contribution. That is what I intend to do.
As it is very much a framework document on what BIM wants for the marine industry, does the Minister have plans to analyse that further on the processing side? Is there anybody who could produce a definitive consultancy report for marine activity to take it into the future?
That is the task the Department is involved in at the moment. Any assistance my Department needs in that regard will be obtained. The objectives are fairly clear. The Department is deeply involved on the policy side, as I myself am at successive Council of Ministers meetings. I agree that it is important to make a strong presentation. The presentations which have been submitted have been made widely available and have been fairly widely accepted. I accept what the Deputy says about the importance of putting together a final comprehensive package. That is what we are engaged in at the moment.
