Vol. 550 No. 2
90 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason Bord Iascaigh Mhara, having solicited initial data on losses and informed the farmers at that time that they would be contacted when a scheme was put in place, did not inform farmers that the shellfish remedial package was in place and the procedures for applications. [7915/02]
91 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason, when in March 2001, Killary Co-op wrote to the aquaculture manager of Bord Iascaigh Mhara to inquire if the shellfish remedial scheme had advanced from the initial stages, the co-op was not given details of the scheme, with information of its closing date, application criteria and so on, at that time. [7916/02]
92 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether Bord Iascaigh Mhara failed to advertise the shellfish remedial package sufficiently and deliberately excluded some farmers. [7917/02]
93 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether the shellfish remedial package was administered fairly; and if all beneficiaries based in County Galway met the criteria set out. [7918/02]
94 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if Bord Iascaigh Mhara could have issued a standard letter on the shellfish remedial package rather than advertising in newspapers covering only part of the qualifying areas; and the policy of BIM on advertising. [7919/02]
95 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if County Galway based farmers who received aid under the shellfish remedial package sold their first harvest commencing in November 2001; and if the produce was rejected on the grounds that it was too small. [7920/02]
96 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason alternative arrangements were not made when Bord Iascaigh Mhara abandoned the FORUM organisation with regard to the shellfish remedial package; and the reason for the change of policy, when BIM still states that it supports the partnership. [7921/02]
97 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if applicants for the shellfish remedial package were advised not to mention it to others. [7922/02]
98 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on Bord Iascaigh Mhara's approach in advertising the shellfish remedial package, including the way in which some people were excluded. [7923/02]
99 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason ?227,326 sanctioned on an aid package to Killary Harbour under the shellfish remedial package was not publicised; if other aid packages sanctioned in his constituency of similar value were not advertised; and the reasons for the lack of publicity. [7924/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 99, inclusive, together.
As I have previously advised the House, £2.5 million, €3.174 million, was made available to the shellfish production sector under the shellfish remedial package. This national scheme was announced in the budget for 2001 and launched in Bantry on 12 January 2001 by the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne. The launch received wide media coverage in both the national and local press and radio and television. Details regarding the objectives of the scheme and how to apply were advertised by BIM in The Kerryman and Connaught Tribune of 19 January 2001 and the Southern Star of 20 January 2001. Details were also published in BIM's Aquaculture Newsletter No. 36 and Aquaculture Ireland.
Administration of the scheme was a day to day matter for BIM which dealt with all matters such as publicity, the application process and the assessment of applications received in accordance with agreed criteria. I have asked the board to reply to the Deputy directly in regard to all the matters raised.
Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 85.
