asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a recent publication (details supplied) makes no reference to fish; and if this indicates a lack of interest on the part of the IDA in the fish industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Industry.
9.
The strategy document drawn up by the IDA concerns the development of the food and drink sectors. The fish industry was not included at the time because a separate policy document on the fish industry was being prepared by the Minister for the Marine.
The Department of the Marine are presently consulting the interests in the fish industry, including the IDA, and it is expected that an interim document will be available shortly. The IDA, in consultation with the Department of the Marine and BIM, will continue their support to the fish industry.
Is it not extraordinary that a very expensive document produced last week by the IDA which indicated that their was a global approach to the food industry and support for that industry and promotion of it leaves out what is one of the most important segments of the food industry and one with the potential for the greatest growth, that is, fish?
I asked the IDA to forward this strategy document to each Deputy for his or her perusal.
I did not catch that.
The Deputy mentioned it was a very expensive report but I said that I asked the IDA to forward it to each Member of this House. It was very well produced and free of charge to all Members of the House.
It was magnificent, but it is incomplete.
It was concerned with the food and beverage industry. At the same time, the Department of the Marine, a new Department established to support and develop the fishing industry, have in the course of preparation a document on the development of the fishing industry in consultation with BIM and the IDA. That strategy document will be available very shortly, I hope within the next few weeks.
I am glad to hear there is something coming out in that respect. It is extraordinary that the Department of the Marine, or indeed the Department of Agriculture and Food, could not point out to the IDA that if one is producing a comprehensive document on food it should include all elements of food, no matter what other document is produced for individual segments of the market. The Minister for the Marine has been very lax in this regard.
There is the closest co-operation between the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of the Marine.
That is not in the least apparent.
That co-operation extends to my personal involvement in connection with the establishment of a seafood plant in Bantry.
I am afraid that the whole business is very bitty.
I call Question No. 10.
It is obvious there is no co-operation.
There is co-operation.