Vol. 509 No. 5
33 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he will indicate his intentions and investment programme for the water based tourism and leisure sector in the period 2000-6; if EU funding will be available; the amount in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19899/99]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently launched, on behalf of the Marine Institute, an important report setting out the investment needs over the period 2000-6 of the water-based tourism and leisure sector. The report proposed an investment programme of £130 million for infrastructure, product development, marketing/awareness, training, environmental management and technical assistance. The report identifies a strategy aimed at enhancing the contribution which the water-based tourism and leisure sector could make to Ireland's economic and social welfare.
I fully endorse the strategy proposed and intend to make every endeavour to ensure that the forthcoming national development programme reflects the need to support investment in this sector. I will announce my intentions when the programme, and the sectoral allocations of funding within it, are agreed by the Government.
The Deputy will also be aware that I have recently secured Government agreement to the establishment in my Department of a new division which will be exclusively dedicated to the development of policies aimed at enhancing safety in the water-based tourism and leisure sector but also aimed at maximising the economic value, including employment, of this valuable resource based sector.
I intend to work closely with both the Marine Institute and this new division in developing imaginative new policies and approaches in this area. We will do this in partnership with local people, business interests and State bodies based on both the Marine Institute report, which I mentioned, and the institute's marine research development and innovation strategy which was endorsed by the Government in 1998. The strategy has been adopted as the authoritative way forward for the development of the marine resource. The strategy includes a section spelling out in a sustainable and balanced manner the water-based tourism and leisure sector.
It has come to my notice since putting down this question that there is an EU proposal in relation to applying excise levies to diesel fuel for leisure craft, which would have a major impact on this programme. I realise this is a matter of finance—
A question please, Deputy.
Will the Minister of State use his good offices to attempt to block this proposal, which would have a severe effect on the programme he has referred to?
I am very conscious of the matter the Deputy has referred to. I intend to make this programme work and will do anything necessary to ensure that will be done.
I commend the Minister of State and the Marine Institute on this fantastic report. They have identified piers and harbours for development for marine leisure. Has the role of the county council been taken on board in relation to this? Some coastal councils have prioritised their needs. Will there be good interaction between councils and the Department on prioritising needs, thus linking what the Department is doing with what councils want at local level? I am asking the Department to liaise with county councils. What does the Minister of State think of county councils presenting a prioritised list of what they want in terms of marine tourism and perhaps fishing?
I can clearly indicate that any county council, in Donegal or elsewhere, is the premier body representing the people of a locality. The Deputy can be assured that the Department will liaise very strongly with all county councils. It is essential for the success of the scheme.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
