We are continuing the discussion commenced at our meeting of 23 May. I welcome the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources and his officials. The previous day the Minister was in possession. However, I will change the format slightly by calling the Labour Party spokesman, Deputy Bell. He can raise whatever issue he wishes and the Minister can then respond.
Estimates for Public Services, 2001.
Vote 30 - Department of the Marine and Natural Resources (Revised) (Resumed).
There has been a substantial discussion of the issues. On the last occasion Deputy Dukes spoke for an hour and covered everything that I wanted to raise. I am happy with the Estimate as presented and will allow the Minister to conclude by agreement.
My colleague knows all about the subject of coastal erosion. County Meath has seven miles of coastline from Gormanstown to Mornington. While I do not represent the east Meath area, councillors constantly raise this problem at county council meetings. I hope the Minister will look at this matter and make money available for coastal protection.
I thought the only problem in County Meath was its footballers. I did not know about the problem of coastal erosion. I will take up the issue and if the Deputy has a specific project in mind, I will look at it.
To sum up, there were issues I did not cover in great detail the last day. In relation to ports, we have commenced the £46 million publicly funded plan for port development in respect of which the closing date was 18 June. We will consider proposals from various ports for infrastructural development as quickly as possible.
The committee sought the up-to-date position on forestry premiums. I am delighted that there has been an upturn this year in planting as a result of the increase in the premium. At the last meeting I was pressed on the subject of back payments, an issue we will revisit in the context of the Estimate for next year.
On marine tourism, we will shortly be putting together the group to consider applications for marine access infrastructure. We have already agreed to four major marine access infrastructural projects at Caherciveen, Roundstone, Sligo and Kenmare at a cost of £4.5 million. Further projects will be considered in coming months.
I undertook to provide the committee with details of the coastal protection programme under the NDP. I announced the 2001 programme of coastal protection works in March. It provides for total investment of £6.8 million in coastal protection projects in 2001. I have arranged for a copy of the programme to be circulated to members. Deputy Brady's concerns on the issue have been taken into account.
Since my last appearance before the committee there have been significant developments regarding the Loran C radio navigation system. At a recent meeting of the international steering committee which manages the system two members of the committee, Germany and Norway, formally gave qualified notice of their withdrawal from the system at the expiry of the current agreement in 2004. This unexpected development means that Ireland must now move to determine its own marine radio navigation system in the likely absence of Loran C. I have directed that we proceed to assess the implications for Ireland of the qualified notice of withdrawal from the system by the German and Norwegian members and draw up our own policy on maritime radio navigational aids in consultation with all stakeholders having regard to the relevance of the principle of avoiding sole dependence on one system and, in this context, the vulnerability of GPS, and the availability of other possible aids to navigation. In the meantime we are suspending work on the installation of a Loran C mast in Ireland.
I have requested the Commissioners of Irish Lights to play a key advisory role in the review which will be progressed on the basis of full consultation with all those involved in the maritime safety area. I have asked my Department and the Commissioners of Irish Lights to draw up, jointly, a consultation document setting out an assessment of the radio based aids to navigation around Ireland and the options for the future. This document will be used as the basis for consultation. The Bere Island development group has been advised and kept apprised of these developments. In early May officials of my Department and the Commissioners of Irish Lights attended a public meeting on the island at the request of the development group to discuss the possibility of siting the mast on the island.
The committee sought details on how the £2 million to be provided this year for aquaculture is to be spent. It represents the public funding element of the total investment planned for this year under the aquaculture measures of the NDP. A total of £25 million will be provided under the two regional operational programmes to support total investment of over £60 million in the aquaculture industry. The strategic objective is to underpin its sustainable development through building critical mass and scale and diversification. Key priorities include infrastructural and technological development, environmental sustainability, quality assurance and added value. The first tranche of applications will be processed and announced in coming months.
The impact of the FMD crisis on angling is being quantified at my request by the central and regional fisheries boards. I thank all the interests involved for the admirable way in which they responded to the campaign against foot and mouth disease. There was a negative effect on angling from which it is good that we are recovering. The NDP tourism and recreational angling schemes will be launched shortly and will see £24 million invested in angling over the period of the plan.
There has been an impact on forestry in terms of inspections, but we have come up with a protocol to deal with this. We have introduced arrangements to ensure payments will continue to be made in respect of all valid claims.
The committee inquired whether an evaluation of the extent to which our marine emergency requirements are being met has been conducted. The current level of service provided by the Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI and volunteers is excellent. A major programme of investment, including equipment and helicopter coverage, is being pursued. The Department is also working on expanding helicopter coverage, including night time capability, at Waterford.
The unprecedented economic growth in Ireland in recent years, while welcome, has, by its very nature, given rise to a number of new challenges. Labour shortages in certain sectors and environmental and planning considerations have a particular impact on capital projects in the marine and natural resources area. Local authorities, which are responsible for a range of capital works under the fishery harbours and coastal protection programmes, and my Department's engineering division are no less exposed to the constraints and bottlenecks arising from the transformed economic environment in delivering on our infrastructural objectives. In addition to the challenges arising from our national economic success, capital projects in the marine area may also be constrained by bad weather which reduces or closes the window of opportunity for carrying out infrastructural works. I am carefully monitoring expenditure in 2001 and have requested my Department, in consultation with the relevant local authorities, to identify all potential programme shortfalls with a view to reallocating resources to other critical areas. I am confident that the money we have been allocated will be spent.
I am happy with that response.
The Minister explained how the £46 million to be provided under the national development plan for the seaport infrastructure and capacity development scheme and the seaport disengagement scheme will be spent. He also said the disengagement scheme will ensure small regional harbours and ports will continue to play a worthwhile and beneficial role in the local economies in which they are located. On behalf of the people of Limerick, city and county, I thank him for the great work he did in ensuring the amalgamation of Foynes harbour and Shannon port. Many Ministers of all political persuasions had tried to do this, but failed. The Minister is to be congratulated for doing a worthwhile job.
When will the moneys promised for the access road to Foynes harbour be made available? I presume they will come from the Department of the Environment and Local Government. They were part of the package the Minister put in place in regard to Foynes. Can he also tell me if money has been made available for the crane?
We provided £3 million for the crane. Progress has been made in the tendering process to put both it and hoppers in place. I will have to check the position on the access road, but it is my understanding that money will be provided by the Department of the Environment and Local Government to enable the project to go ahead.
I made representations to the Minister of State on the issue of forestry premia, pre-1999, and received a written undertaking that they would be paid. I know it is not the fault of the Minister who made a strong case, but I urge him to make a case to the Minister for Finance when preparing the budget for next year. It is an issue about which many are very concerned.
I do not think the Deputy received a written undertaking from the Minister of State.
I beg the Minister's pardon, I received a verbal agreement that the money would be paid.
There is a desire on our part to secure agreement to backdate payments, but as yet we have not succeeded. It will be a matter for budgetary discussions and anybody who feels strongly about it - as the Deputy does - would be well advised to lobby the Minister for Finance as we will all be fighting together.
I do not have the power of the Minister, but would like to have him on board as that would help. I congratulate all concerned for their efforts in combating foot and mouth disease. I am glad the Minister has made £1 million available to the fishery boards for angling projects. I thank him in regard to two small projects that I presented to him. While they may seem small to me and the Department, they are big to the clubs concerned and the money is very much appreciated.
I apologise for arriving late.
The meeting is almost over. As we had a two hour debate the last day, we intend to get out quickly today.
As my colleague, Deputy Dukes, covered most of the points that I wanted to raise, I will raise just a few small issues. I thank the Minister for his contribution towards the Billy Fox Memorial Park. The late Senator Billy Fox, a former Member of this House, was murdered by the IRA and it is great to see that the park and amenities in memory of his name are being financed. I was happy to be present on the day the Minister came to open the parts that have been funded and announce the extension of funding. Many other amenities in my area receive funding now that there is a budget of £17.5 million for inland fisheries.
A farmer who had to sell some of his land on the shore of Drumate Lake near where I once lived was only paid £1, which is not enough in this day and age when there is so much money available. People should be compensated in a reasonable way for their helpfulness. The farmer concerned complained to me afterwards that his treatment was unfair given that so much money was spent on the project. Owners have to be shown more respect and adequately compensated.
I wish to emphasise the problems of those who planted before 2000 as a commitment was made to ensure they would receive increased premiums, as a previous speaker said. The 12,000 people involved suffer because of the inflationary costs that affect us all and need to be looked after. Is permission from Brussels needed if the group is to be given Government approval for funding?
I wish to compliment the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development on its handling of the foot and mouth disease outbreak. We have come through the crisis because everybody played a role. Those involved in the angling business in counties close to the Border such as Cavan and Monaghan lost out seriously because foot and mouth disease was so close. Any mechanism that can be found to give them retrospective support should be considered, as some have experienced serious problems. The angling season started late and many of those involved in the angling business have bills to pay. Hoteliers and others have suffered dramatically too. While I appreciate the Minister's comments, more than basic kindness is needed. Rates relief or other subsidies should be considered. I would like to receive an indication of whether EU approval is needed for an increase in funding and, if so, is it likely that such approval will be given?
I did not think Deputy Sheehan would be present as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is in the House. Deputy Dukes apologises for being tied up in the House with the Horse and Greyhound Racing Bill, 2001.
I thank the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Fahey, for his detailed submission on the Estimates for his Department. I notice that £46 million has been allocated under the national development plan for investment in commercial seaports. Bantry springs immediately to mind as the harbour commissioners there have applied for funding for a major port development. Bantry Harbour Commissioners are soon to become a body corporate and infrastructure is central to the success of the industry in Bantry Bay. I would like the Minister to give a sizeable allocation to the improvement of the pier and harbour installations. Bantry Bay is the aquaculture and mariculture capital of Ireland, with a vast industry providing employment for almost 500 people, directly and indirectly.
It is of paramount importance that a sizeable allocation is made towards the creation of a decent port, especially as Tosco is to take over the oil terminal at Whiddy Island. A large amount of business will be generated in the south west. The Minister made a commitment to give £2 million to Bantry Harbour Commissioners when he met them some time ago, but as the project will cost about £8 million, I appeal to him to double the amount given. I leave the matter in his good hands as I know he will explore all possible avenues to our satisfaction.
The Minister stated he is seeking increases in forestry premiums for those who planted before October 1999 and for those who planted under earlier programmes. Despite protracted negotiations at the highest level the European Commission has refused to agree to such increases. It was a rash decision and no wonder the Nice Treaty was rejected. The pioneers of the forestry industry should be given the same assistance as those who entered recently and have taken over. The fact that State aid has to be cleared with the European Commission before it can be given is another reason people are doubtful about European policies. It is hard to blame them for voting "No" in a referendum when they have been given a negative response to requests made to the European Union. I do not blame the Minister who has done and will continue to do his best. Perhaps he will eventually succeed in allocating funding from the State if it does not come from European coffers.
I am delighted the Minister has provided £4.5 million for marina access infrastructure in 2001 and I am satisfied this will benefit marine tourism. As far as I am aware, the green light has been given to two marina projects in County Kerry, one in the Minister's native County Galway and one in County Sligo, but the tourism riviera of Ireland, from Dursey Sound to Kinsale, seems to have been forgotten. As there are two such projects in my old friend Deputy Healy-Rae's constituency, I would like the Minister to approve similar projects in my constituency in 2002, as my constituents are envious. He should remember that the south west Cork coastline is the mecca and riviera of tourism in Ireland. I refer, in particular, to plans for marina projects in Bantry and Schull, which I ask the Minister to incorporate in the scheme for 2002.
I note in the Minister's statement that because of strong opposition to the siting of the Loran C radio mast at Loop Head the Department was, until very recently, exploring the possibility of locating it on Bere Island in my constituency. He also said he met the local development group on the island. While I do not doubt the veracity of his statement, this is the first I have heard ofthat meeting. I ask him if approval was given for erecting a Loran C mast on the island and ifthe development group was in favour of the proposal.
The Minister said that at a recent meeting of the international steering committee which manages the Loran C radio navigation system two members of the committee, Germany and Norway, formally gave qualified notice of withdrawal from the system at the expiry of the current agreement in 2004. I ask him to explain the reason Germany and Norway adopted this attitude to the system at this late stage. Does he possess definite information as to the reason they pulled out? I notice he has also put to bed the possibility of a Loran C mast on Bere Island given that he is now assessing the implications for Ireland of the qualified notice of withdrawal from the system by Germany and Norway. Is it correct to assume the Loran C radio navigation system is dead and buried?
I remind the Deputy that there is a vote in the Dáil. I ask that we allow the Minister time to conclude as quickly as possible in order that he will not have to come back.
That sums up my contribution to the debate. I look forward to the Minister's reply.
I thank Deputies for their contributions. As Deputy Sheehan pointed out, the European Commission refused to consider increases prior to 1999. We will have to clear any further increases with it from the perspective of State aids. The process will have to be completed with it. We will examine the issues referred to in relation to land ownership and fisheries. I was delighted to have been involved in the memorial park for the late Senator Billy Fox. It was a very fitting project from the local community.
I am a little surprised that Deputy Sheehan, for whom I have the highest regard, chose to cast an aspersion on the European Union because of its response on forestry. He knows better than anyone present that the European Commission has been extremely good to this country's forestry sector. The European Union has provided massive sums of money which have transformed the whole sector.
The Taoiseach must have spoken to the Minister to get him to say that.
No, he did not and the Deputy, as one of the most experienced Deputies on this committee, will know better than anyone that since 1972 we have had to fight for everything we have received from the European Union. Despite having often failed to get what we wanted I would hate to think of the kind of backwater this country would have become had we not been a member of the European Union. While we must fight hard for our rights, as I did this week in Luxembourg, it behoves all politicians to recognise that Ireland has much to thank the European Union for. It is very much in our interests to give others the opportunity asked for in the Nice Treaty referendum. It is critically important that, as politicians, we recognise the great success story the European Union has been for Ireland, which Deputy Sheehan should note.
I read in one of the newspapers that the Minister is a doubting Thomas.
Time is getting tight.
That is the point. There is a great propensity for people to mix up matters. Every week we fight our corner in Brussels. That does not mean, however, we do not appreciate all the good things that have emanated from the European Union. It pleases me that Deputy Sheehan was not aware of our discussions on Bere Island. I was certain he never missed anything in that constituency. I was tempted to joke that Deputy Jim O'Keeffe was present at the meeting, but he was not. Given that the two main partners are no longer enthusiastic about the Loran C radio navigation system it is unlikely to go ahead.
In respect of harbours in west Cork, £1.5 million has been allocated to Bantry from which we have received an application for further funds, but so far there has been no action on the ground. Further funds will depend on progress. We have not heard anything from the other locations mentioned by the Deputy. County Kerry is so disadvantaged that it had to be placed at an advantage when the schemes were being approved.
Must the forestry issue be cleared in Brussels?
Yes, as a State aid, it must. If we succeed in getting further Exchequer funds, we will have to clear it with Brussels. We do not envisage major difficulties in receiving such approval even though the Commission refused to put up the money.
I welcome the Minister's commitment to the European Union because it had seemed somewhat doubtful.
I thank the Minister and his officials for appearing before the committee.