SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1998

Vol. 1 No. 7

Fisheries and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill, 1998.

SECTION 1.

Question proposed: "That section 1 stand part of the Bill."

Mr. Finucane

We are trying to facilitate the Minister in expediting the passage of the Bill this week. I have held discussions with the fish farming section of the IFA and Mr. Pat Ridge of BIM who stressed the urgency of passing this legislation. I thank Mr. Tom Parlon for advising us on this matter, although it may have been somewhat late in the day.

Many of those engaged in the industry cannot operate on a legitimate footing with financial institutions until such time as they have a licence and they are concerned that grants from BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta have been delayed. Is it the Minister's intention to issue the 90 licences in question before Christmas or immediately after it? Will the passing of this legislation assist in expediting outstanding grant payments from BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta to clients?

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Mr. Byrne)

I thank the chairman and members for facilitating this meeting today. I also thank Opposition members, particularly Deputy Finucane, for adopting a very responsible position on this matter. Deputy Finucane engaged in consultations which we, in the Department, should probably have engaged in. The 90 licences in question will be issued before the end of January 1999 and some licences will be issued during the course of the month.

This legislation is required in order for us to proceed with this matter. Some of the 90 fish farmers affected are dependent on grant aid from Europe and are being put to the pin of their collar by the banking system. People are becoming frustrated about this issue and bank managers are liable to become frustrated more easily than most. This legislation will encourage those engaged in the industry and will help to maintain confidence in it. As this is an area of great potential, it would be regrettable to witness any downturn in it.

Question put and agreed to.

Sections 2 to 7, inclusive, agreed to.

Title agreed to.