Item 2 on our agenda is the consideration of the Estimates, 1999; Vote 30 - Marine and Natural Resources (Revised). The briefing material has already been circulated and I propose that the Minister will commence the proceedings by making an opening statement, to be followed by the marine spokespersons, Deputy Finucane for Fine Gael and Deputy Bell for the Labour Party. The meeting will then be open to other members of the committee. Members should note the meeting today involves the consideration of Estimates. No vote can arise on the proceedings as that is a matter for the Dáil.
Estimates for Public Services, 1999.
Vote 30 - Marine and Natural Resources (Revised).
Ireland's marine and natural resources are now standing on the threshold of what I believe is their time. We are coming of age as a maritime nation and awakening to the real potential of the riches which lie in our offshore territory. Oil and gas exploration remains at near record levels, despite the historically low price of oil in 1998. In land based activities we will shortly become one of the largest producers of zinc and lead in the world. Our forestry industry is blessed with the best tree growing soil in Europe. We have already embarked on a number of firsts for the sectors, a series of unique development, investment and co-operative programmes, unlike anything attempted before.
On marine research and the national sea bed survey, Ireland has one of the largest offshore areas in Europe representing 90 per cent of national territory. However despite the fact we have most to gain, we are the only EU country without a territory-wide seabed mapping programme. The first ever comprehensive national seabed survey at a projected cost of almost £21 million will be carried out jointly by the Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Ireland and will fill that gap. This seven year initiative will provide an integrated data bank for use by fishermen, engineers, biologists, oceanographers, exploration interests and geologists. It will also provide an increased pool of marine specialists, an international shop window for Irish marine expertise and technologies. The long-term national benefits of this commitment are an essential investment in our future. The new survey will also compliment the Marine Institute's national strategy for research, technology, development and innovation, another first, which aims to create 7,000 new jobs in Ireland's marine sector.
The £70 million white fish fleet renewal programme is bringing new vessels into the fleet for the first time in many years. In all the schemes it provides for 72 new, modern, second-hand and modernised vessels for white fish fleet, all of which will be capable of competing with the best in other EU fleets. Skippers throughout the country have already signed up for 28 new vessels a mere six months after the announcement of Government and EU support. In addition, investment of £0.5 million has gone into the purchase and the fitting of vital equipment for almost 100 white fish vessels. The phenomenal response of fishermen nationwide to our investment package shows that such a scheme was long overdue and that the appetite for investment by fishermen in their own industry points to a bright future for Ireland's fisheries.
Under the small harbours programme, 41 small harbours and landing places are to be improved in the first investment programme specifically for these facilities. This £4 million investment will focus on providing new facilities and up-grading at coastal communities where existing facilities are badly in need of repair. This ground-breaking investment package is part of my commitment to develop Ireland's marine resource for the benefit of people in coastal communities. It will benefit the smaller harbours and landing places which have served our more peripheral communities for generations. Upgrading these facilities is essential to preserve traditional marine related activity as an economic way of life in coastal areas and to support people diversifying into newer pursuits, such as aquaculture and water-based tourism.
The Government's coastal protection programme for 1999 involves the expenditure of almost £5 million to combat coastal erosion and represents a five-fold increase on the 1998 funding. Investment this year alone will match total investment over the last five years as, for the first time, significant funding is allocated to deal with one of nature's most serious threats - its effects on our coastline and the communities, enterprises and amenities it supports.
The first ever proposal for a National Maritime College, at Haulbowline in County Cork, to serve the needs of the State and the private sector, is currently under consideration. An expert interdepartmental group is currently assessing the detailed costings to implement this unique collaboration involving Government Departments, the shipping sector, the Naval Service and the third level institutions.
In relation to hydrocarbons, oil and gas exploration activity in our offshore areas continues at near record levels and at present a total of 26 exploration licences, two licensing options and two leases covering a total of 139 blocks or part blocks are in place. Last year proved to be the busiest year for seismic acquisition and the Corrib gas field was successfully appraised. The positive signs emerging from the Corrib field come at a time when gas production from the Kinsale-Ballycotton field is nearing the end of its commercial life and the establishment of further, indigenous production is important. The £5.6 million petroleum infrastructure programme is in place to facilitate a sharing of research data between exploration companies who face the common challenge of exploring the deep-water areas offshore Ireland. This programme is unrivalled anywhere in the world and brings together those companies who normally compete in a joint venture for the benefit of all concerned.
This is by no means an exhaustive account of the initiatives we have undertaken. However, it will give committee members a flavour of where our important marine and natural resources stand at present. We are beginning to recognise the importance of the marine sector and the work of this committee, the Opposition and the Government has been helpful in that regard.
The Estimates before the committee call for expenditure of £127.448 million on the activities of the Department of Marine and Natural Resources in 1999. It represents a commitment of significant resources to the marine, forestry, mining and petroleum sectors by the Government. In the past year significant progress has been made under the various EU operational programmes, namely, the development of the forestry sector under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry; development of the fisheries sector under the Operational Programme for Fisheries; port investment under the Operational Programme for Transport; development of the inland fisheries sector under the tourism angling measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism and coastal protection works under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services.
I have set out, under the different headings, brief comments on each one and I will briefly go through them. The administrative budget is set out under subheads A1 to A9. There are somewhere in excess of 400 staff in the Department, ranging over the different technical and administrative areas. The Strategic Management Initiative is in place in the Department, putting into operation the public service modernisation of the Department and it has produced its strategy document. This is a very important development in all Departments. My Department is setting out its plan in accordance with the statement of strategy and the various business plans. The business plans are being rolled out to cover the period 1999-2001. There is a partnership committee in the Department which is involved with training in the work environment and this is in operation. This is all part of the new environment for public service management.
With regard to marine safety, environment and shipping services, under subheads B1 to C, I am pleased to have the opportunity to refer to some of these. We are developing a coastguard service for which we are preparing legislation to give the marine emergency service a firm legislative basis and statutory duty of responsibility for all the activities associated with the discharge of its remit. This will be a very important development and it will give great confidence to everyone involved. As part of the establishment of the coastguard service I have instituted a major building and restructuring programme for the coastal units. The first contract was awarded on 17 February 1999 for the station at Dunmore East. This building will be completed by the end of the year. It is expected that other building projects will also commence this year. Additional funds have been allocated for that purpose and Deputies will see the effects of that in due course.
The helicopter service is now well under way. The full contract for the new Sikorsky helicopter based at Dublin and the new Air Corps Alouette based at Waterford will be included in the Estimates for this year. We now have very good coverage on our helicopter service.
We are getting a new VHF digital selective calling system which will be associated with channel 16, a 24-hour listening watch for the foreseeable future. While this was being installed we maintained our Morse code for an extra year but that is now finished. Other countries had discontinued their Morse services in the meantime.
We are also in the process of obtaining an emergency towing vessel. This will serve the west coast in particular, the idea being to prevent vessels from grounding and consequent pollution. There is an advisory group looking at this issue at the moment, comprising senior officers of the emergency services. The provision of fully equipped aircraft for routine aerial surveillance relating to pollution and other measures is being examined at present.
With regard to the emergency response for inland waterways, we have been asked to extend the Irish Marine Emergency Service search and rescue co-ordination and communications cover to the Shannon and other inland waterways and we are working on that. It will take time to build up voluntary response groups around these areas comparable to those on the coastline.
The expenditure review of the Irish marine emergency service, containing 60 recommendations, is being examined in all Departments before a ministerial decision is made. My objective will be to maintain a first class service and to cater properly for the staff. In 1998 I announced the purchase of a new aid-to-navigation servicing vessel for the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The ship building work, being carried out by a Dutch firm called Damen, is taking place in Romania but will be completed in the Netherlands. The ship is due for delivery in December 1999. The net cost of the vessel, taking into account all the available grants, is approximately IR£15.8 million. A total of 35 per cent of the cost will be funded by the Irish Exchequer, and the remaining 65 per cent by the UK-managed General Lighthouse Fund, which comprises shipping contributions.
This state-of-the-art vessel will help the Commissioners of Irish Lights meet their servicing requirements for 170 offshore lighthouses, light vessels and buoys into the new millennium. The new 80 metre vessel will replace the existing light tender Granuaile which is now almost 30 years old. While the ship will have the primary purpose of servicing aids to navigation, it will also have the multi-function capability for search and rescue operations and pollution response. The vessel will be equipped with the latest manoeuvring and positioning technology, allowing it to hold position precisely for safe and accurate placement of floating aids.
Members will be aware that the Loran C project has faced considerable opposition resulting in a number of legal cases. At the end of July 1998, I attended a meeting with representatives of local communities in Loop Head. While the community remains opposed to the project, I will continue to liase with them over the operation of the consultation process which will address both local and technical issues. We are also liasing with our partners in the 1992 agreement.
The returns from the 20 commercial ports for 1998 show that seaborne trade is at an all time high and how vital those commercial ports are. Ports throughput in 1998 was buoyant with notably increased traffic. Cargo levels recorded at the 20 key commercial seaports increased by 9.2 per cent from 41 million tonnes in 1997 to a record level of 45.5 million tonnes in 1998. Some 4.7 million passengers passed through the four ro-ro passenger ports in 1998, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Rosslare and Ringaskiddy, compared to 4.4 million in 1997 - an increase of almost 6 per cent. This phenomenal increase in throughput and passenger numbers every year is taking place within a genuinely competitive ports industry.
On completion of the current programme of modernisation and infrastructural development, £160 million will have been invested in this programme which has made a big impact. EU assistance has also helped. Other investments in the ports have been directed towards improving efficiency and handling consistent with the demands of the Celtic tiger economy. More than 90 per cent of the total volume of business goes through the ports and this figure is over 99 per cent taking the island as a whole.
The Government's action programme for the millennium prioritises transferring small harbours to local control. My Department commissioned independent consultants in October 1998 to undertake a review of the State regional ports and harbours. The study covers 16 state ports and harbours with commercial traffic of less than 250,000 tonnes which currently operate under the 1946 Harbours Act. Our objective is to set out a long-term coherent and sustainable development plan for their future. This will be completed in 1999 and available for discussion at this committee.
There is a need for the continued updating of maritime law. During 1998, I introduced 25 statutory instruments dealing with a wide range of maritime safety matters. They include regulations governing fishing vessel safety, passenger vessel safety, construction standards for recreational boats, port State control, marine equipment specification and the international safety management code for the operation of all Irish international seagoing vessels and foreign vessels while in Irish waters. These vital measures are now coming to fruition. We are working with the Commission to strengthen port State control inspections and procedures so that spot checks on foreign merchant vessels in Irish waters will be improved.
Detention of unseaworthy vessels will continue to be a feature of a new publicly available European Union computer information system - EQUASIS - which will be on stream in 2000. This will help identify rogue ships and show which administrations are diligent about ensuring the safe maintenance and operation of their intended sea going vessels.
In September 1998 the report of the investigation of marine casualties policy review group was published and I accepted its key recommendation to establish an independent board. On 22 March 1999 the Government approved the general scheme for a Bill to establish the board and the drafting of the Bill by the parliamentary draftsman. The board, which will be statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions, will have powers to investigate marine casualties and will be required to publish reports of its investigations within specified timescales. Previous reports of this nature will soon be published.
Coastal protection work in harmony with the environment and on the basis of clear cost-benefit justification is necessary to secure the future of our coastal regions. Under the 1999 coast protection programme, 29 projects will be undertaken with local authorities at a total cost of £4.9 million. This significant increase in Exchequer support for coastal protection will tackle coastal erosion. The projects being funded are in counties Louth, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. I have also committed funding for the development of a geographical information system, GIS, and for coastal and aerial surveys.
Exchequer investment of £10.249 million in 1999 is being provided for Irish marine research, which has made great progress in recent years. EU funding has also made a vital contribution. Marine research and development projects are being supported under the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99. The maritime INTERREG programme is supporting marine and coastal environmental projects with particular emphasis on joint co-operation between Ireland and Wales. Funding is also being provided for basic research undertaken by the Marine Institute and the salmon research agency. The Marine Institute carries out essential programmes to underpin management decisions and policy, including stock assessment, aquaculture research, fish health and marine environment. The salmon research agency is focused on research activities to enhance the salmon populations. I am glad to say the SRA, the Salmon Research Agency will shortly become an integral part of the Marine Institute. There are great opportunities for scientists in that area, much work is going on and there is huge potential for development. Most of the development which has taken place is research and science based.
Under subheads G1 to G16, the sea fisheries and aquaculture development subheads, my policy is to maintain and enhance the contribution of the sea fisheries sector to the national economy and to growth and employment in coastal communities. There has been an increase of nearly 50 per cent to £23 million on the 1998 figure which gives a clear picture of how matters are progressing.
I am working to deliver change within the Common Fisheries Policy framework to the benefit of Ireland, including enhanced conservation measures and a level playing field on control and enforcement. I have established a national CFP strategy review group which will inform our negotiating position for the review. It is chaired by Mr. Padraig White and it is already working intensively on its wide-ranging remit. I understand it will produce interim reports which the committee will be able to discuss.
On the national investment plan 2000-6, the immediate challenge is to position the Irish seafood sector to deliver on its economic potential and development needs post-2000 with EU and national support. The BIM seafood industry agenda highlights the real economic returnswhich a cohesive investment strategy can deliver for the sector. BIM's analysis accords with mine and it is a critical contribution to the current debate on national investment priorities. There is huge potential here which Deputies discussed recently, so I do not believe I need to go into it to any great extent.
I made it clear that EU rules on grant aid must facilitate rather than stifle the development of the Irish industry. The parameters for investment up to 2006 will be laid down at EU and national level. We will have our own requirements which will be sorted out nationally. At EU level, there will be other overriding controls and restrictions which arise from the fishery sector, and we will have to take them into consideration as well.
Deputies will know I spelled out my total opposition to the Commission's hard-line restrictive fleet proposals at the Fisheries Council last March. The German Presidency agreed to re-examine the proposals and is consulting with Ireland and others on the scope for compromise. The Commission is taking a hard-line and next month's Fisheries Council will be very difficult if we are to get a reasonable outcome.
Recent years have seen tremendous growth in consumer demand for seafood which we expect to continue. In 1997, total Irish fish landings exceeded 300,000 tonnes, worth more than £140 million. We have already reached our 1999 target on landings and from that point of view matters are going fairly well. In relation to exports, BIM worked very closely with the sector in order to maximise product and marketing opportunities for Irish fish on domestic and export markets. Fish exports have increased by over 60 per cent since 1990 and were valued at £230 million in 1997. Of this, we exported £45 million worth of white fish and shell fish to Spain.
On investment, funding under the operational programme is now virtually all committed and the key objective is to ensure that all available moneys are spent by the end of next year. The funding under the PESCA community initiative is also supporting fishing communities to diversify into new activities. Over £11 million worth of investment will be achieved by the end of the programme. To date, 158 projects have been approved and I will announce a new round of PESCA projects shortly. We have been proactive and effective in that regard and it has been very useful to us.
On the white fish fleet, I announced the programme which we discussed. The 1999 Estimate includes continued funding for the programme. This unique package which, supporting an investment of up to £67 million, delivers fully on the commitment in the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium to develop the white fish industry. It is the largest ever single financial incentive in the white fish sector. The package is supporting the introduction of new vessels and modern second-hand vessels. It will also help to modernise existing vessels and provide much needed safety equipment, and it is going well. Tax incentives were also introduced under the 1998 Act, which have been greatly welcomed by the industry and will continue through this year also.
The development of the fish processing industry is critical for jobs, growth, value added and exports. A total investment of £26 million has been supported under the Fisheries Operational Programme since 1994 in 112 fish processing projects. This has ensured the viability of existing jobs and created 250 new ones. Recently, I announced a further round of grant aid for fish processing projects which will deliver an investment of over £4 million and create 48 jobs.
Irish aquaculture production has grown exponentially and was worth over £60 million to the economy last year. In value terms, this represents a growth of 3,000 per cent in 20 years. Under the operational programme, almost £11 million of EU funds has supported total investment of £30 million in over 100 projects. Recently, I announced the final tranche of projects under the current programme. The future development of the aquaculture sector will focus on achieving critical mass in annual production, valued added and diversification into new species. I want to position the Irish aquaculture sector to maximise growth, market opportunities and job creation.
The fishery industry is critically dependent on berthage and on-shore facilities for landings and services. The investment to date under the operational programme has delivered substantial programmes of improvements and refurbishments to fishery harbours. This investment provided for a new harbour in Kilmore Quay, an upgraded auction hall in Killybegs, an upgraded pier at Greencastle and upgrading of small strategic harbours around the coast. Key priorities are Killybegs, Dingle, Burtonport and Castletownbere as well as a range of small, but vitally important, harbours. There is a prima facie case for further expenditure on fishery harbours and facilities in the next round. We will look for that to maintain our position and competitiveness.
I already indicated my intention in relation to fishery harbour centres and to bring forward proposals for structural and organisational changes to the management of the five centres. My objective is in line with the principles of subsidiarity. My Department is completing an analysis of the options in consultation with BIM and I intend to bring proposals to Government before the end of the year.
On inland fisheries, subheads J1 to J5, the estimate of expenditure on inland fisheries programmes is just over £19 million, including £10.6 million to fund a central regional fisheries board and £6 million for a tourism angling programme. Investment in tourism angling continues to accelerate with over 170 projects approved and almost all of the £17 million is now committed. I am working to ensure that further EU and national funding for tourism angling and inland fisheries development is secured under the national plan 2000-6. I have the support of my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation in that regard.
On inland fisheries initiatives, Members will be aware of my stated intention to set new strategic directions for the inland fisheries service and to reform the structures. I will bring my proposals to Government shortly. My objective is to deliver a framework which balances and reflects the interests of all concerned. Clarity will be brought to the respective roles of the central and regional fisheries boards and the Department in corporate governance terms. More effective and accountable delivery of service by the boards is a key consideration. Regional responsibility for conservation, management and development will be backed up by the effective national co-ordination and support by the Central Fisheries Board. All this is in line with the Government's objectives for strategic change in the public service and regional subsidiarity. It also reflects widespread consensus on the need for change and the evolution in thinking since the boards were set up in 1980. My thinking has been informed by the views of all concerned, the various consultancy reports over the years and the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General into management of inland fisheries. My proposals also reflect my commitment to catchment management strategies as the way forward.
National salmon conservation and management strategies are being progressed in line with the recommendations of the salmon task force. Conservation measures must continue to be enhanced on all fronts to protect and restore salmon stocks. All users of the resource, anglers and commercial fishermen, have a responsibility to play their part in conservation. Salmon strategies will continue to be progressed on a consensus basis. The National Salmon Management Commission will play a key part as the forum for advice and initiatives generally.
Pollution prevention and response measures remain a key priority. The objective is to ensure that the resources of the fisheries boards and all relevant agencies are deployed to best effect. The boards are working closely with local authorities.
Last year the central board provided specialist support in 25 pollution cases and in January last appointed an environmental co-ordinator to drive and co-ordinate action programmes on water quality. I promised this measure after one of the pollution incidents. The board will set up a freephone service on pollution awareness during the critical summer months.
I will now refer to forestry subheads K1 to K8. The Government's forestry policy is set out in the strategic plan. I am fully conscious of the significance of the forestry sector. The Government supports the targets in the plan which are my priority. We want to develop the sector on a sustainable basis which is compatible with the environment.
There were excellent plantings between 1994 and 1996 but planting in 1997 and 1998 was disappointing. Present indications are that 1999 will be below target despite a number of initiatives I am taking, particularly with regard to forestry and the REP scheme operated by the Department of Agriculture and Food. Exchequer and EU investment in forestry in 1999 will amount to £85.784 million. The principle provisions are included in the FEOGA guarantee scheme under which a variety of attractive forestry grants and premia are paid. The £59 million budget for these payments underlines the Government's continuing commitment to the forestry sector. There is also a provision of £16.6 million which covers payments under EU Structural Funds.
The forestry service of the Department has been in discussions in recent months with the Department of Agriculture and Food and private and Teagasc REPS planners about spreading the gospel with regard to forestry. I want to ensure that when advising farmers on REPS, planners also make them aware of forestry as a land use option and outline its economic contribution in terms of maximising farm income. This is an important point and much more needs to be done to help increase the rate of planting.
Another initiative involved the setting up of the Forestry Industry Forum last March which provides an opportunity for a regular exchange of views by all elements of the sector. The forum was established by the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne.
Since the inception of the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry, the forestry service of the Department has made payments totalling £55.389 million up to 31 December 1998. The purpose of the payments concerns increasing the capability of the forestry-based industrial sector to develop new overseas markets and increase its competitiveness. Recipients of grants include farmers, corporate investors in afforestation areas and individuals and companies involved in the development of the forestry service. As in the case of fisheries, securing a fair allocation for forestry in the next round of Structural Funds is one of the top priorities.
The success of mining in recent years, particularly involving base metals and other metals such as gypsum, has encouraged the search for other mineral resources. It is my aim to promote this trend to maximise inward investment in exploration in tandem with indigenous exploration and service companies so that it will lead to the discovery and development of further commercial deposits, thus creating jobs and wealth. In so doing, I place considerable emphasis on the need for responsible mining, particularly with regard to environmental protection. Ireland has a strict regime of environmental monitoring and control and has led the way in this regard, being the first European country to require new mines to have an integrated pollution control licence.
It is also essential that exploration and mining are undertaken with due sensitivity to the needs of local communities. In all instances where we are supporting exploration projects and mining development, we are ensuring that they are undertaken with such sensitivity. I intend to keep these procedures and policies under constant review and I hope to introduce new legislative proposals within the next year.
Ireland has a high profile as a major international producer of zinc and lead concentrates thanks to the continued production at Outokumpu Tara Mines Limited, Navan, and the two relative newcomers at Galmoy and Lisheen. At full production, Galmoy and Lisheen will double the national output accounted for by Tara mines - an enormous increase. Arcon Mines Limited has been producing zinc and lead concentrates from the Galmoy mine since March 1997. Production was temporarily interrupted by an industrial dispute in 1998. I am glad that the dispute has been settled and production is now at full capacity.
In October 1997 I granted a 30-year State mining lease to the Ivernia West Minorco joint venture to develop zinc and lead deposits at Lisheen, County Tipperary. The development of this deposit, with reserves of about 19 million tonnes - three times that at Galmoy - will provide over 300 highly paid jobs during mining operations which are expected to commence by the end of this year. About 700 jobs, many local, were created during the construction phase. In addition to the benefits to local communities from salaries, mining earnings will be applied in part to the purchase of goods and services in Ireland, the value of which is expected to be in the region of £13.5 million per annum. This does not take account of purchases during construction which are estimated at £40 million. The State will receive direct benefits from the mine in the form of corporation tax and royalties which are set at 4.5 per cent of revenue per annum when the mine is at full production. Concessionary rates apply in the first five years.
Outokumpu continues to develop State-owned minerals at Navan under a State mining lease granted in 1997. I recently granted State mining licences to the company for two areas of privately-owned minerals adjacent to the existing lease areas, subject to a right of compensation for the owners of the minerals. Production continues at Irish Gypsum's open-cast pit at Knocknacran, County Monaghan. A consolidated lease is under negotiation between the company and the Department to give the operators continued rights of working. The Knocknacran deposit is the sole supplier for the plaster and plasterboard factory at Kingscourt, County Cavan, and also provides essential material for the manufacture of cement.
Hydrocarbons play a significant part in Ireland's energy mix. The economic benefits resulting directly from natural gas production from the Kinsale and Ballycotton gas fields illustrate the obvious importance of indigenous energy supplies. These supplies create employment in services, engineering and technical support industries. They also provide import substitution and generate downstream economic activity. The benefits to taxpayers arising from these discoveries of oil and gas could be considerable, although they are difficult to quantify precisely at this stage. The direct impact will depend on aspects such as the size of the accumulation, duration of production, flow rates, cost of development, operating expenses and market price.
A positive development was the excellent test results from last year's Corrib appraisal well off the County Mayo coast. A further appraisal well is being drilled. This comes at a time when gas production from Kinsale and Ballycotton has gone into decline so further indigenous production would be timely and welcome.
In addition, Marathon has submitted a development plan for the south west globe of the Kinsale gas field. While this represents only a small proportion of the national requirements, it is very welcome. Providence Resources was granted a lease over the Helvick field last year and is preparing a development plan for the field which is due to be presented for my approval by May 2000.
Ireland has a vast continental shelf, much of which remains unexplored. The Government is committed to continuing to promote and encourage exploration of the offshore to the fullest extent possible so as to enhance prospects for further commercial discoveries.
For an island nation located on the periphery of Europe, the shipping sector constitutes a crucial hinge on which the success and effectiveness of a major element of our international trade and a significant portion of our tourism activity turns. It is important to ensure that the sector is given every support to serve the economy as efficiently and effectively as possible. I will continue to develop Ireland's attractiveness as a flag State in the areas of corporation and personal taxes. I am also looking at ways of making Ireland a base for maritime business. Government policy is, first and foremost, about creating jobs for Irish people on Irish and other vessels, in inshore servicing and in a wide range of maritime activity around our coast. Over the past few years, Irish Government policy has focused primarily on the maintenance and creation of employment and the facilitation of production and investment to modernise and expand the Irish merchant fleet. A great deal of work is being done in these areas by my Department. I thank the staff of the Department for the work they are doing in that regard. I also thank Members for their attention and I look forward to the discussion which will follow.
Discussions of Estimates are often largely discussions of information which has already been given to Members in the form of answers to Parliamentary Questions.
The Common Fisheries Policy will be the most significant factor in the development of the Irish fishing industry. The CFP and the review which is taking place for the year 2002 is dealt with in one page of the Estimates. The CFP has failed Irish fishermen. We have left with between 5 per cent and 8 per cent of the total allowable catch, which is a derisory amount when one considers that Ireland has 13 per cent of maritime waters. We have been a victim of history and we cannot reverse it. However, if cogent arguments are made our position can be improved in the approach to the year 2002. I hope a strong presentation of cogent arguments will be made because the agreement which emerges after 2002 could be very significant.
The modernisation of the white fish fleet has often been hailed as a success. The development of the Irish white fish fleet is a contradiction in the context of the European multi-annual guidance programme which is more inclined to take vessels out of the fishing fleet. Strong arguments must be made regarding Ireland's unique case, to ensure that this is not allowed to happen because it would negate the efforts we are making to upgrade our fishing fleet. Fishing is central to the economies of many of our continental neighbours - Spain, for example, has 21,000 vessels. This might explain their use of what we regard as bully-boy tactics. The Minister has an excellent chance to improve this situation.
I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss the Bord Iascaigh Mhara report for the years 2000-6. The Minister has received a copy of the IBEC document on the marine sector. He should also read the submission from the fish farming section of the IFA which deals with aquaculture. There will be much pressure on the Minister at Cabinet to ensure that the needs of the marine industries in the period 2000-6 are met in the national development plan.
Much of the information contained in the Supplementary Estimate relates to the operational programme for 1994-99 which amounted to only £75 million and was a disappointment to those engaged in marine activities. The BIM document refers to a figure of £200 million. It recommends a State investment of £44 million, which amounts to only £6 million per year. Bodies such as Feoga are very willing to fund food related businesses but are reluctant to fund activities related to fishing. A report such as the McKinsey report which was carried out on the food industry, is needed for the marine related activities so that a future for those activities can be framed. The Estimates show that a large amount of money has been spent on consultancies and that there will be a considerable increase in the amount of money spent on photography, press relations and so on. Money would be better spent on a proper consultancy. Many consultancy reports commissioned by the Department of the Marine in the past were not useful. The report of the Central Fisheries Board was not even accepted. The Department could get better value for the money it spends on consultancy.
The BIM document and others give us the chance to deal with the problems of the fishing industry but this chance must be taken within the next few months. The marine industry has only recently gained respectability and if action is not taken urgently, it will revert to its previous Cinderella status.
I will be interested in the Minister's report on the progress of the strategic management initiative in his Department. We are always inclined to praise Departments where it is deserved. However, I have occasionally expressed my disappointment to the Minister at the lack of response to letters to his Department. I have heard similar complaints from others who have had dealings with the Department. Respect for correspondence is basic to the management of any Department. A lack of staff is often given as an excuse but a Department's response to the community is an excellent barometer of its efficiency and success. I will be interested to see what steps have been taken to improve the position.
Many of us must contend with the ongoing battle between drift net and draft net fishermen on one side and anglers on the other. Anglers complain that they cannot catch salmon while drift net fishermen say they are not catching them either. We have salmon conservation policies. However, the resolution of this conflict will require the dramatic measure of buying out many of the drift net and draft net fishermen. They might respond positively to such a measure by the Minister. Will the Minister give the committee more information regarding the allocation of £200,000 to a pilot survey on the salmon problem?
The port of Waterford is mentioned in the Estimate. Will the Minister explain the purpose of the £1.2 million which is mentioned in that regard? Changes are taking place in the relationship between the Commissioners for Irish Lights and the Foyle and the Carlingford fisheries boards. Will the Minister expand on the implications of these changes? I was disappointed that only two hours were devoted to the discussion in the Dáil of the setting up of the new North-South implementation bodies. These important changes which may have fundamental implications for the employees of Irish Lights in Dún Laoghaire and throughout the country were not even discussed.
The budget for coastal erosion has been increased this year and the Minister has referred to various projects throughout the country. However, funding is not sufficient. The coastal zone management Bill has been much discussed and is long overdue. Along with that Bill we should have a table of coastal erosion projects. The Government may need to determine priority to meet the competing demands of different counties.
I welcome greatly the announcement made during the Cork by-election regarding the new college. I also welcome the costings where they are present. With regard to the new college in Cork perhaps the Minister might comment on statements made recently on the possible difficulty in getting enough staff to man the new naval vessel being built. Is a shortage of specialist skill among Irish engineers already apparent and to what degree does the Minister envisage the maritime college meeting that shortage and providing a framework for the future?
The Minister mentioned smaller ports and harbours being taken over by county councils for leisure activities. That is fine. As a public representative who has been a county councillor for many years, I know many extra roles have been divested to local authorities. This has put an extra financial strain on them. While the Minister's plans in this direction are laudable, extra responsibility requires extra funding and I wonder from where the funding will come. The marine research institute produced a very good document recently on leisure activities and its plans for the future. There are serious questions with regard to many of our little harbours and ports which are deteriorating due to lack of funding. Looking to the future of fishery harbours, £60 million funding is projected. How adequate is that considering developments in Ireland's two premier fishing ports would require an investment of £30 million to meet basic demands?
I will not get on to my old hobby horse of the position of the offshore islands because I believe I have lost that battle on the Minister's argument that one cannot influence the situation of the local people who have worked on offshore oil rigs. I have said before that what Enterprise Oil has done is very disappointing. I wonder at its lack of long-term commitment. While I look forward to the gas being brought ashore, at the end of the day it will smile benignly at the Irish Government on the basis of terms produced in the 1992 licensing agreements which will allow it to write off the initial exploration costs with regard to the capital investment afterwards. It will probably pay very little in royalties to the Irish Government.
I thank the Minister for the document he provided. It gives much background information on a Department which covers many different areas, unlike other Departments. The information will be very useful. I would like to refer to a few items. The Minister knows I have a few hobby horses. One is the development of small harbours. His sanctioning of 41 projects is welcome, as is the £4 million allocation.
However, as I have indicated in other debates, there is a problem with the criteria for establishing assistance, particularly to small harbours. From personal experience - I am a former chairman of a harbour authority - I understand there is a difficulty in that Department officials tend to assess financial assistance to small harbours based on the catch tonnage. However, that is often the wrong criterion. To encourage small harbours to develop, we must provide the facilities for docking and harbour development before the fleet can effectively improve its performance in terms of tonnage and other activities. We are putting the cart before the horse. If the IDA operated on that basis it would never build advance factories. It is being looked at the other way around as far as the marine is concerned. It is necessary to prove the tonnage can be landed, but the tonnage cannot be landed without the facilities and infrastructure.
Allied to this is another point which I mentioned to the Minister on many occasions. The issue of the control of small harbours must be considered seriously. Deputy Finucane also referred to this. I have been a member of two local authorities during the past 30 years and I know small harbour development is way down the list of priorities for local authorities. It is at the bottom as far as local authorities are concerned for the simple reason that their main priorities are housing, sewerage, water and the usual matters with which local authorities deal. Harbour development is certainly not on their list of priorities because they do not have the funding for it. They have financial control of small, but vital, harbours. For example, in my constituency Clogher Head is a vital port. It is effectively the only industry there and the whole community depends on it. How can it, or a similar port elsewhere, develop if it does not have the money because it is controlled by the local authority? A sum of £200,000 for harbour repairs is not what is required.
There is the same problem in my county in relation to coastal erosion. I am glad County Louth is listed and I thank the Minister. I travel along the coast from Drogheda to Carlingford and I see houses which are almost in the sea. I know the Minister appreciates this point because he has replied to many of my questions on this matter. A sum of £5 million sounds like a lot of money but it is peanuts considering the job to be done all around the coast. I know the Minister realises this.
I agree with Deputy Finucane's reference to "Cinderella" status. The Department with responsibility for the marine has never been given the proper financial or staffing resources to do the job for which it was established.
On oil and gas exploration, as the Kinsale field is fast running out, what proposals have the Department and the Minister in terms of long-term development and supply from alternative sources? Has the Minister received an indication that an alternative supply is possible from any of the commercial companies licensed to explore for oil and gas off the coast, particularly in the Kinsale area? Will the industries which now depend on gas as a source of energy - and there are some big ones - have to get it from the United Kingdom or other European sources? What plans are there to deal with this? Bord Gáis is encouraging households and companies to sign up for the supply of gas. Gas usage is increasing on a daily basis but there does not appear, at least publicly, to be an alternative programme to deal with this issue.
Recently, I tabled a parliamentary question on staffing in the Department and the Minister gave me a breakdown in his reply. It definitely showed an increase in the staffing in the Department but the bulk of that was due to the transfer of certain elements from other Departments. What are the staffing increases in the Department? How many people have been recruited and how many are undergoing training? From my knowledge of the Department, and from discussions with various people, I know it takes a substantial length of time to deal with even a small problem in relation to foreshore licences. I have been told the reason is a lack of staff in that section of the Department. Will the Minister indicate whether there is a sincere programme of recruitment of people with the expertise and knowledge required and whether proper training facilities are available?
On the new navigation vessel under construction, why is part of it being constructed in Romania? Why is there a need to transfer it to Holland for completion? Would it not have been more efficient to have had the job done in the one shipyard, wherever that might be?
I refer to leisure activities because there are great possibilities in this regard with the new arrangements for the commercial ports under the legislation I helped to steer through Committee Stage. Given the lack of funding available to local authorities to develop leisure activities and the fact that it would be a low priority, but would have considerable potential for tourism and development in small port areas, perhaps we should consider joint venture developments between other agencies and the private sector.
Will the Minister indicate what progress will be made on the BIM plan for 2000-6? That document, which I studied very carefully, it is one of the best thought out documents on the marine sector I have seen in my time in Dáil Éireann. Is it the intention to put together a specialist group within the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources to oversee the implementation of the many worthwhile projects in it? This document will be my bible for as long as I am spokesperson on the marine for my party. It should also be the bible for the Department because it has effectively done a better job than the Department with regard to highlighting the need for development of the marine sector in its broadest sense.
I refer to the forestry programme and, in particular, to the REPS within that sector, as referred to in the Minister's speech and in the Estimates. I hope we will discourage the suggestion that good agricultural land should be used for forestry development. There are many thousands of acres of poor quality land, particularly in the west and south, which would be most suitable for forestry development. We should discourage any attempt to develop forestry in areas with good quality agricultural land. It is a resource which we should not give away easily. Will the Department devote its attention to the development of good quality Irish species in terms of forestry development? It is important to maintain and develop our native Irish species. Does the Department have any policy in that regard?
I thank the Minister for supplying us with excellent background material. It is a compliment to the staff of the Department.
I propose that Deputy Johnny Brady takes the Chair for short time. Is that agreed? Agreed.
I congratulate the Minister on his voluminous address on policy in the marine industry. The £70 million white fish fleet renewal programme is a godsend which has been introduced not a day too soon. If this policy was adopted each year for at least the next decade, it would go a long way towards modernising our fishing fleet. Nothing was done to modernise our fleet for the past 30 years other than Mickey Mouse efforts, which resulted in us having inferior fishing vessels and Irish fishermen being unable to keep up with their European counterparts. I hope that will change in the next decade or so - the sooner the better.
As regards the small harbours programme, 41 small harbours and landing places are to be improved in the first investment programme specifically for these facilities. The Minister said this £4 million investment will focus on providing new facilities for coastal communities. I reckon it is too little too late. We would need at least a £20 million injection to deal with this problem. Many of our small harbours are in bad condition and are not able to handle whatever port activity comes their way. I appeal to the Minister to accelerate expenditure in this small harbours programme and to seek additional cash. This £4 million investment is only peanuts for a very valuable industry.
With regard to the hydrocarbons to which the Minister referred, for the past 20 years I have heard about oil exploration companies drilling for oil off our coastline. Is it because the price of oil is still so low that they have not developed some of the oil wells they have drilled? I would be very careful of international oil moguls. They could have the finest reserves as a result of their activities off the Irish coast. They could cap it and leave it there for 20 or 30 years when global oil reserves become scarcer. The Minister should conduct an in-depth examination of the exploration attempts of the oil borers in order to bring to the surface as quickly as possible any commercial finds that would benefit the economy. The international oil rig explorers may be playing hide-and-seek with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and the Minister should tread warily.
As regards the Marine Safety, Environment and Shipping Services subheads, I congratulate the Minister on the way he has updated the Irish Marine Emergency Services, which is a step in the right direction. The helicopter rescue service is a welcome addition which works well on the coastline.
The Minister met officials from the marine emergency advisory group which comprises of senior officers in the marine and land-based emergency service who examine the provision of emergency towing facilities and protect the coastline from vessel groundings and consequent pollution. These groups will report next month when the matter will be considered further. I hope the Minister will base the emergency towing vessel in Bantry Bay to cater for the south-west region from Mizen Head to the Aran Islands, an area which is vulnerable to foreign vessels going aground and causing pollution.
I do not know how effective the provision of suitably equipped aircraft for routine aerial surveillance will be as a deterrent to polluters and as part of counter-pollution measures. It is a step forward. However, if aerial surveillance was designated more to monitoring the activities of the international trawlers ravaging our vast fish stocks it would help the marine industry.
The new aid to navigation servicing vessel for the Commissioners of Irish Lights cost £15.8 million to build. It will service 170 offshore lighthouses, light vessels and buoys into the new millennium. Was it wise to make those offshore lighthouses automatic? The human aspect of lighthouse manning is sorely missed. If the lighthouse in my parish of Mizen Head had not been manned the night the Celtic Mist, carrying the former Fianna Fáil leader, Mr. Haughey, hit the rocks the entire crew, including Mr. Haughey, would have been swept away and Mizen Head would have become a place of annual pilgrimage. Perhaps it would have prevented a number of embarrassing situations. The human aspect could have been considered before the Commissioners of Irish Lights were allowed to upgrade the lighthouses.
Is the spending of £15.8 million necessary for this kind of new vessel? Major improvements were carried out at Fastnet Lighthouse, seven to ten miles off the coast. All necessary equipment, including cement blocks, was transferred effectively by helicopter in four days. The cost of the new vessel is very high.
The Minister is aware how vital ports are to the economy in keeping trade moving efficiently and on time. The returns from the 20 commercial ports in 1998 show that seaborne trade is at an all time high. He mentioned the roll-on roll-off passenger ports in Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Rosslare and Ringaskiddy. The Minister should consider a roll-on roll-off service for the south-west Cork coastline. Bantry Bay is particularly suited for a service between the west and south-west and the Continent. Castletownbere has 80 per cent of white fish landings, the majority of which are transported to the Continent in articulated lorries, some of which must travel from Castletownbere to Wexford, a distance of 240 miles and then across to Le Havre. They must travel also to Ringaskiddy.
The Minister states that he expects a report on the State regional ports to be submitted to him shortly. Was that report not due three months ago? It has taken since October 1998 for the Department's commission and independent consultants to undertake a major independent review of the State's regional ports and harbours. Have we gone over the top with regard to the commissioning of independent consultants to carry out reviews? The results of their investigations are left languishing for ten to 20 years until the next independent consultants' report. It would be better for the industry if there were fewer consultants' reports and if expenditure was increased.
With regard to maritime safety, the Minister indicated that the Department intends to continue the process of updating maritime law and that a comprehensive programme of work will be developed in the next few of years. The Minister will be aware that Irish fishermen are not satisfied with the lack of progress in terms of their being allowed to pursue claims in respect of damage done to their vessels. We discussed this serious matter last night on the Adjournment in the Dáil. The Minister must tackle this problem and ensure that Irish fishermen are not made scapegoats by international cowboys of the high seas.
The Minister referred to establishing a code of practice for international skippers and their Irish counterparts. It is not much good taking such action when modern international trawlers are able to operate on automatic pilot and do not use lookouts. These vessels can travel in straight lines and God help any Irish craft that gets in their way because they will not be able to avoid them. It is no surprise that six serious accidents have occurred in the past two years. One of these incidents took place approximately 15 miles from Castletownbere port on a Sunday morning two years ago and it resulted in the death of Danny O'Driscoll and the loss of his vessel. The accident was caused by an international trawler sailing on auto pilot into the port.
The Minister must give further consideration to this matter, but I do not know what action can be taken. He should at least raise it with his EU counterparts in order to ensure that the high-powered vessels to which I refer should not be put on auto pilot without a lookout being stationed in the wheelhouse to watch for oncoming traffic and protect people who are merely engaged in their occupation. As far as I am concerned, not leaving a lookout on duty is tantamount to an act of piracy. I urge the Minister to take action on this serious matter.
The Minister said that BIM worked closely with the sector in order to maximise product and marketing opportunities for Irish fish on the domestic and export markets. He indicated that good progress is being made to develop existing and new markets for Irish seafood worldwide. The Minister said also that fish exports have increased by over 60 per cent since 1990 and were valued at £230 million in 1997. What advances have been made in respect of securing a decent market for the herring caught in Irish waters? Is the Minister aware that many of our EU partners are processing herring in different ways? For example, they are canned in beer, wine and brine. The Department should explore the possibility of processing Irish herring fillets, which are of superior quality, in this way.
In terms of herring sales the roe market was extremely important during the past ten years but this appears to have evaporated following the collapse of the Japanese economy. The Minister's Department must diversify its efforts in terms of seeking new markets for herring. For example, there are major strides to be made in the promotion of kippered and canned herring. As far as the market for fish is concerned, Ireland can offer some of the finest products in the world but we are not used to maximising our business potential in that area.
I am informed that most of the cod consumed in Ireland is imported because the Irish fishing fleet catches a very low tonnage of that species of fish. Irish boats are prevented from fishing intensively for cod and, if they do, it usually causes major problems on the high seas. This could have been the reason behind last weekend's difficulties, which occurred in cod fishing waters. I would like the Minister, when next he deals with the EU, to ensure that the Irish fishing fleet is given a larger cod quota.
Irish aquaculture production has grown phenomenally in recent years and it is now worth over £60 million to the economy. In my opinion we are only skimming the surface as far as aquaculture is concerned. If we are to have a vibrant aquaculture industry, the Minister must ensure that an adequate infrastructure of landing places and small harbours is put in place. The fishing industry is heavily dependent on berthage and onshore facilities for landings and services. The Minister said that investment to date under the operational programme has delivered a substantial programme of improvements to and refurbishment of fishery harbours. There is a need for the Minister to invest further in improving infrastructure, upgrading ports, harbours and landing facilities in order to cater for our expanding aquaculture industry. The sooner he does so the better.
I congratulate the Minister on his attempts to secure additional funding. However, he must continue to exert pressure at Cabinet to ensure that his Department obtains its rightful share of the money available from our tiger economy. To date I have seen little evidence of the booming economy in my constituency, Cork South-West, and I would like to see increased investment in improving the harbours and landing facilities there.
Baltimore harbour has been sadly neglected. This harbour caters for people travelling to and from Sherkin Island and Clear Island, which are becoming popular tourist destinations. In addition, Baltimore is a recognised fishery landing port while Schull is not. There is a foul berthage in the approach to Baltimore harbour which must be cleared. The provision of £3 million would go a long way towards refurbishing the harbour and I cannot understand why the Departments of the Marine and Natural Resources, Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and Tourism, Sport and Recreation could not co-finance such a development. Baltimore serves many areas of industry and it has been completely neglected with the result that the pier is falling down and cannot cater for the traffic using it.
With regard to forestry, the Government's forestry policy is set out in the strategic plan for the development of the forestry sector. I advise the Minister to do everything in his power to impress on Coillte the necessity to ensure that between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of the species it plants are of broad leaf varieties. Coillte is inclined to plant colourful varieties which grow quickly but the timber produced from these is so soft it is only fit for pulp. However, broad leaf varieties reach maturity in 25 to 30 years and they would be of immense benefit to the State. There is an old saying "Lives of great men all remind us, let us make our lives sublime, when departing leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time". The planting of an oak forest would stand as a great tribute to the work the Minister carried out during his time in office. It would be something he could look back on in future. There should be greater development in forestry through Coillte and it should be ensured that a high percentage of State plantings, between 30 and 40 per cent, are of broad leaf varieties.
Since the beginning of time the seaboard along south-west Cork, south Kerry and the west has repelled the Atlantic Ocean. It prevents that gigantic ocean from overflowing and putting the country under water. We have lost a considerable amount of our territory to the Atlantic. It has been undermined and has fallen in. A great part of my constituency and of Deputy Healy-Rae's constituency in south Kerry has fallen into the Atlantic Ocean. Nothing has been done by successive Governments to combat the problem of coastal erosion. The £5 million the Minister announced is peanuts. If we do not protect our coastline, it will have a serious effect on future generations. A significant part of our coastline has been undermined and falls into the sea each year as a result of Atlantic storms. Some of the recent storms have been tropical in nature. The Minister should spend more money on coastal erosion, if possible.
I thought the Chairman was not going to allow anyone from Fianna Fáil to speak.
I must keep a balance. Deputy Sheehan covers all angles.
He has today. I am glad he suggested that the Minister, Deputy Woods, should dedicate an oak forest to himself while he is alive. The Deputy is very concerned about the Minister.
While I welcome the provision for the small harbours programme, Deputy Bell and others made the point that in a marine county such as County Wexford, a significantly greater amount of money is needed to cater for the number of small harbours seeking upgrading. Once it is announced that money is available, it creates problems because every community using a small harbour believes its harbour should be upgraded. County councils find it difficult to meet demands in coastal communities. Perhaps the funding for that could be increased substantially.
While I appreciate County Wexford has probably received most funding this year for combating coastal erosion, with 70 miles of coastline there is a need to examine the issue of funding seriously. Nonetheless, I appreciate the substantial increase in funding this year. What demands is the Minister making under the new EU programme for funding from Europe to supplement Exchequer funding? The bureaucrats in Europe should recognise the problem we face around the coast of Ireland. A significantly larger amount of funding should be allocated this time than was allocated last time. As Deputy Sheehan said, acres of land are being washed into the sea. The Department has taken the view that, other than areas which are valuable tourism or seaside resorts, it is cheaper to let the land fall into the sea than to try to protect it. Perhaps the Minister might comment on that because that seems to be the thinking within sections of his Department.
Deputy Finucane raised the issue of drift net and draft net fishermen. I raised it last year and the year before and the Minister had a very negative view of the buy out. It is time the Department examined this issue seriously. There are 70 draft net fishermen on the River Slaney, the majority of whom are in their late 60s and early 70s. They are anxious to come to some arrangement with the Department to sell off. This has happened in Scotland, Norway and other countries. It is time for the Department to examine seriously the possibilities or to have a consultant do it.
Net fishermen are protecting their interests and the rod fishermen are up in arms about them. There is an ongoing battle in Counties Wexford and Waterford and in other parts of the country. The season, especially for the net fishermen, has been shortened on a regular basis. The Slaney net fishermen contact us on a regular basis to arrange meetings with the Minister, to ask him to extend the season and to try to obtain a fair deal compared with the rod fishermen. The time has come to seriously examine a buy out. The Minister opposed it last year, but he should examine it again and consider it seriously. From having spoken with a number of net fishermen on the River Slaney, they seem to be more amenable to sell off their rights than in the past. We should take the ball on the hop, so to speak, in that regard.
With regard to forestry, I thought I was the only one who was concerned about good land being used for forestry plantation, but Deputy Bell raised the issue earlier. Hundreds of acres of high quality land in County Wexford is now planted for forestry. That should not happen because it is not in the long-term interests of the farming community, although they may make money in the short-term. I agree with the Deputy Bell that there is a great deal of substandard land which should be planted before prime agricultural land is planted. This matter should be examined. Coillte has no qualms or concerns about buying top quality agricultural land and planting it, but I would have concerns for the farming community and its long-term prospects.
The Minister said that Kinsale gas is almost exhausted and that other gas fields are being examined. Gas pipelines run by many counties - through Counties Carlow and Kilkenny in the case of County Wexford. However, when we table questions to the Minister seeking for an extension of the network, we always receive the stale reply that it is not economic. I do not agree with that. Counties where the network runs through adjoining counties should be examined more seriously for extension of the network . It may not be within the Minister's remit because it may be the responsibility of the Minister for Public Enterprise, but he would have a say because it relates to natural resources. Perhaps the time has come for an examination of how Bord Gáis operates and how it makes decisions about extending the gas network to counties. We are being left behind because of the negative response we have constantly received, not from this Government, but from previous Governments and Bord Gáis.
I thank the Minister for the comprehensive report from the Department. It is wide-ranging and covers all the major issues in the area of fisheries with which we are concerned. I compliment his officials. While it sometimes takes a long time to receive a reply or obtain a response, generally we find the officials in the Minister's Department helpful and approachable and I thank them for that.
The Minister will reply now. There is no need to reply to Deputy Sheehan. I assume he has no interest given that he has left.
He asked me to note what the Minister said.
It is true small harbours need more funding, but this is the first time we have had the money to upgrade them, so it is a breakthrough in that sense. I envisage it will continue because its value and the need for it have been shown. Local authorities have provided their 25 per cent. This touches on the points Deputies Bell, Finucane and others made that local authorities do not have much money and they tend to invest it in roads and other projects. There is a conflict and a difficulty there. Some local authorities came forward and those which did not queried why they did not benefit. They had not put forward any proposals but they may be doing so now and that will lead to an increase in that area. It is a good scheme, although I accept £3 million is a small start. Nonetheless, it is a start and will develop from that.
Several Deputies raised the issue of coastal erosion and it is especially bad in County Wexford because the coastal area is so sandy and easily washed away. A good deal of the funding was allocated to projects in County Wexford, but it had to be spread around. Deputy Sheehan said the allocation of £5 million was peanuts, but it is more than was spent in the past five years. It was a significant increase to go from less than £1 million to £5 million in one year. This has been valuable because it has showed what is needed. People have become aware and have come forward with projects.
This has created a problem with priorities. I tried to ensure the funding was reasonably well spread around the country and that the high priorities were catered for in the first instance. A great deal of work must be done and what Deputies Browne, Sheehan and others said about that is true. I hope we will be able to build on the funding allocated this year and the work done. I accept the point made by Deputies that it is infrastructural development and that we need to make progress with it. Deputy Browne raised the issue of EU support. That is from where most of the funding came previously but there is no pro rata funding from Europe for the additional funding we have provided. We will have to put our best foot forward and try to find something to fit in with what we seek to do.
When a Minister speaks of a buy-out, it becomes big news, which is a problem. When Deputy Browne asked previously about buy-outs, I could not say they were a good idea or interesting because there must at least be Cabinet approval for doing something in that regard. It is a sizeable area and I agree it needs to be tackled. When the Deputy suggested I was not overly enthusiastic about it, it was because I could not say much unless I had Cabinet approval for what I was going to do, especially with something like a buy-out where a large number of people will immediately want resources and will have their own ideas about what would constitute a buy-out. Some people were interested in a buy-out for six years with improvements in salmon and other fish stocks. That would not be a great idea. It would be better if we could tackle it overall.
Deputy Browne mentioned the Slaney and that he thought people there had ideas for a project. We are looking for such ideas for examination. The pilot project gave us the opportunity to seek projects and to develop them. If the Slaney fishermen have an idea for a project, let them come forward with it because I would like it in the open to see what is involved and how we might approach it. A number of individual inshore fishermen are making very little and would in some instances be interested in buying out the salmon licences with a view to using the money to buy tonnage and to fish regularly. Those aspects must be examined. It is only because of the pilot scheme that such matters have become a possibility
Chairman, I note the division bells are ringing. Are we obliged to suspend or adjourn?
It would be disjointed to return afterwards. The Minister has addressed some of the relevant points. Perhaps he might try to reply to the others by way of written response.
I will.
I would like the Minister to reply on the issue of the marine coastal stations in Malin and Valentia and the amount of money spent in upgrading the technology there. Parallel with that issue is a Price Waterhouse report which is causing concern. Perhaps the Minister would give a briefing note on that?
I will. The report will be considered fully before we decide what must be done.
To what does the £1.2 million in Waterford refer?
That was to meet the European Investment Bank loan.
I thank everyone for their contributions and I thank the Minister and his officials. I apologise for the fact that someone will have to write many letters in reply to committee Members.
With regard to the query raised about the letters, a great deal of work is being done because it is a major problem. The Secretary General is dealing with that.