Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Donegal Marine Action Plan.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

177 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the initiatives and action which have progressed in relation to the Donegal marine action plan of March 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8953/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

The Donegal employment initiative task force was established in response to the job losses announced at Fruit of the Loom. As the Deputy will know, as a direct result of these job losses, a participative conference was arranged on the investment and employment opportunities in the marine sector in the county.

A target for the identification of 1,000 new jobs was set and I am pleased to say that on foot of the conference, potential for the immediate creation of some 650 new jobs was identified, along with the creation of a further 1,000 jobs in the longer term. The summary and recommendations resulting from the conference were forwarded to the task force and formed the basis of the marine section of the task force's report.

A number of steps to build on the potential of Donegal's marine sector have been taken, including investment of more than £5 million in harbour developments in 2000 and progressing the development of new landing facilities, costing £20 million, at Killybegs.

Substantial progress has been made in relation to the extension of the National Fisheries Training Centre at Greencastle. Work on this extension commenced early this year and is on schedule to be completed by August 2000. There has been initiation of a cross-Border aquaculture development programme which will work with the sector to provide technical and managerial support.

Work is proceeding in both Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute towards the development of new fisheries in deepwater species and inshore fisheries aimed at increasing the sustainable exploitation of these new stocks. I am confident that this work will provide benefits to the marine sector in Donegal.

There is accelerated aquaculture licensing procedures and an independent board for appeals. New operators, with the prospect of creating 30 jobs over three to five years, have been licenced since March 1999. Applications from existing licensees and intending operators, with the prospect of creating 30 jobs over a five year period, are under active consideration and will be decided upon as soon as the statutory consultation process is completed.

As part of my strategy for the marine tourism sector, a new division, headed by a principal officer, has been set up in my Department. A study was initiated by the Marine Institute to prepare an outline strategy for the development of tourism and leisure in the marine and inland waters of County Donegal. Work on this study was undertaken in close co-operation with Donegal County Council, the North-West Regional Fisheries Board and North West Tourism. I hope to launch this study shortly. However, in the meantime, I understand that the issues raised in the course of the study are being viewed in the context of a new sectoral forum on tourism which the county development board is considering establishing. I believe that the marine tourism and leisure area will have an important role to play in this overall tourism initiative by creating sustainable jobs, while protecting the marine and inland water environment.