I move:
That a sum not exceeding £115,860,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1989, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for the Marine, including certain services administered by that Office, and for payment of certain grants and sundry grants-in-aid.
The main thrust of Government policy is the restoration and improvement of confidence in our economy, both at home and abroad. The National Development Plan 1989-1993 is a planned approach to the challenges ahead and to the opportunities presented by the doubling of the Structural Funds. The new and improved regime of EC Structural Funds provides us with the opportunity to reduce some of the economic and other disadvantages we suffer from as an island state.
The national plan recognises the importance of marine activities to the State. The plan embraces all the major economic responsibilities of my Department. It covers aspects of the sea fishing industry, in particular fish processing and marketing, and fishery harbours and also contains a major programme of development for commercial ports and shipping. Under the tourism aspect, there will be every opportunity for the development of viable angling and marine recreational projects.
Before going any further I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my predecessor and the first Minister for the Marine, Deputy Brendan Day, whose energetic work led to the successful establishment of the new Department. Progress has been recorded right across the sphere of marine activities with the introduction of a comprehensive package of measures to encourage shipping; significant planning in relation to Irish ports; unprecedented growth and development in aquaculture and the development of a strategy for the seafish industry. This list of achievements in which he was ably aided by the Minister of State, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher is its own tribute and I appreciate the sound foundation provided and on which I intend to build.
The sea fishing industry has grown strongly over the last 25 years and in recent years we have seen the emergence of a rapidly growing aquaculture sector. These sectors contribute significantly to employment and incomes in areas where there are few alternative sources of employment. Inadequate infrastructure particularly at fishery harbours and structural weaknesses in the fleet and in the processing and marketing sectors are significant obstacles to future growth. The development strategy for the fishing industry adopted by the Government in 1988 sets a target for the creation of 4,400 new and part-time jobs in the seafish, aquaculture, processing and ancillary industries by 1991.
The protection and enhancement of fish stocks as well as the discovery and exploitation of new stocks is critical to the future wellbeing of the sea fishing industry. Resource management is a major concern now for all member states. Since 1980 in the Community total stocks of major importance have dwindled, often substantially. It is the Government's firm policy to properly enforce conservation measures and to ensure that they are also equally enforced elsewhere.
A large part of the reason for overfishing is of course the existence in the Community of substantial overcapacity in the fishing fleets. In relation to the quotas available to us, we share that overcapacity in certain segments of our fleet, as our quotas are insufficient to keep some parts of the fleet, particularly the pelagic fleet, fully occupied. However, there are always new applicants keen to enter the industry. Entry into the industry has to be closely regulated in the interests of the applicants themselves as well as of those already in the industry, taking into account social, regional and employment considerations as well as the economic aspects. At the same time many of the boats in the fleet are too old and out of date. The fleet needs to be renewed, modernised and directed towards underexploited species and new species to maximise long-term economic gains for the whole industry.
The provision of funds from the Community is critical to the renewal and modernisation of our fleet. The Community at the moment, however, in furtherance of its objectives of reducing fleet capacity is, in effect, linking the availability of funds to the achievement of reductions in the fleets in the individual member states.
In recent years the Community has been reluctant to aid new constructions in those member states which the Commission considers to have the greatest excess capacity problem. This is a difficult and complex problem. We are determined to ensure that our fleet can develop so as to economically exploit the new opportunities which are becoming available.
At the same time without Community aid, the scope for expansion is limited. This matter is the subject of on-going discussion at Community level. We are taking all the practical steps open to us to meet our EC obligations. Restrictive licensing policies are in operation. We are at an advanced stage of preparations for a new fleet register in conformity with EC legislation.
Within these constraints, BIM, together with the other State agencies concerned, are pursuing a vigorous development strategy on all fronts. I should like to highlight today just three of the elements of that strategy; these are exploratory fishing, quality standards and the ice plant programme.
A key element of the Government's strategy for economic growth in the fishing industry is the expanded programme of sustained exploratory fishing for non-quota and other under-utilised species such as argentines and blue whiting. The programme also involves the assessment of stocks of shellfish around the coast.
Exploratory fishing activity is aimed at assessing the potential for extending the range of species and fishing activities for both the fleet and fish processors. In 1988 a BIM/EC exploratory fishing programme on argentine and blue whiting was undertaken and resulted in the landing of almost 10,000 tonnes of non-quota species. The development work is commercially biased and is undertaken by working fishing vessels. Effectiveness is measured in terms of increased catches, or catches of better quality fish.
Development activity at sea also includes fishing gear trials aimed at introducing more cost effective catching methods measured in terms of catch rates and fuel consumption. BIM expect to spend £510,000 on exploratory fishing in 1989 — £230,000 of this would be of a capital nature. This expenditure affords the Irish fishing industry access to EC grant aid for this activity.
Quality in fish products is essential for both producer and consumer. For the producer it means better prices: for the consumer it means fresher, more nutritional and safer products. The Department of the Marine's campaign to improve substantially the image and status of Irish fish and fishery products, both nationally and internationally, was launched in 1987.
In 1989 it is planned to build further upon and consolidate the considerable progress and gains made to date with the aim of achieving the highest possible standards of operational and structural hygiene throughout the fishing industry. This will involve changes in the Departments auction halls, ensuring that all boats handle and maintain their catch in a fresh and hygienic fashion, and the maintenance and improvement, where necessary, of both operational and structural hygiene in processing premises. Furthermore, product sampling will be intensified to ensure product safety and to enhance the image and status of Irish fish.
The quality programme is designed to put the Irish sea fish industry in a strong competitive position for the nineties. As part of these plans BIM have been funded to accelerate the expansion of ice production at BIM plants. The BIM ice plant network will be operated on a commercial basis. In general, BIM will retain direct control of larger plants but with local involvement through leasing of smaller plants to fishermen groups/cooperatives etc. This will guarantee continuity of ice supply and availability to all users. Total investment planned for 1989 will amount to £900,000. Support is being sought from EC funds to underpin this programme and to allow for a better and more extensive coverage than would otherwise be possible.
As Minister responsible for the regulation and development of aquaculture in the State, my objective is to maximise the industry's contribution to the economy in a way commensurate with the preservation of a clean environment. The year, 1989 will see further development of our strategies on both these fronts. The statistics on farmed salmon, for example, speak for themselves: in 1983 we produced 250 tonnes of farmed salmon. In 1989 the estimated output will be 7,300 tonnes, the bulk of which will be exported at an estimated value of £35 million. Our achievable target for 1991 is an output level of over 14,000 tonnes worth in excess of £71 million and, with it, the jobs and exports which will represent the sector's most significant contribution to economic development.
I must stress again, however, that the rapid growth in intensive production of the priority species — salmon, trout, oysters and mussels — in our coastal waters and on freshwater sites must take place in a way compatible with the maintenance of clean waters and the safeguarding of public health and amenities. In response to the continued, and may I say largely ill founded, criticism of the industry, let me reiterate my determination to use the legislative and regulatory powers at my disposal to achieve the development of aquaculture consistent with environmental excellence. To this end I intend to ensure public consultation in relation to licence applications. In addition, I will continue to vet each application thoroughly from the points of view of navigational safety, environmental impact and compatibility with other water users.
The principal measures which I am putting in place in order to achieve our policy objectives includes the provision of a sound legal framework for the controlled development of the industry through the designation of areas for aquaculture; co-ordination, under the aegis of my Department, of the activities of the two principal State agencies Údarás na Gaeltachta and BIM in order to maximise the impact of State aid to the sector; liaison with the EC Commission in order to optimise the development of aquaculture; and the continued deployment, within the constraints on public finances, of the necessary scientific and diagnostic resources to ensure the monitoring and control of aquaculture operations to the highest safety and quality standards.
To conclude on aquaculture, I must express my satisfaction at the use of public resources in this area. Use of money from my Department's Vote through An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, has successfully primed an industry which has now developed a momentum of its own. Údarás na Gaeltachta have worked closely with BIM and this Department in co-ordinating the development of the industry.
Now that the salmon industry, in particular, has reached such a level of development, my Department will be looking closely at the processing and marketing strategy which will be necessary to sustain existing and projected levels of output. What I would like to see happen is that our industry should move as far as possible from the concept of producing a commodity — which would have to accept the world price — towards the production of a premium quality product.
Fish stock research projects are designed to assess scientifically annual trends in the main commercial resources exploited by the Irish fleet and which are subject to quota regulation namely mackerel, herring, cod, whiting, haddock, plaice, sole and prawns.
Most of these stocks are scientifically assessed every year by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and by the European Commission's Scientific and Technical Committee on Fisheries. Their joint recommendations — in the formulation of which my Department's scientists play a full and active part — form the basis for the total allowable catches — and ultimately national quotas — agreed subsequently by the Fisheries Council of the European Communities.
I have allocated an extra £20,000 towards a mackerel egg survey, part of the triennial international survey designed to update the assessment of the mackerel stock which, at 40 per cent, is the biggest single component of our marine fisheries.
In order to match the Department's research input to the growing importance of "non-quota" stocks such as argentine, blue whiting and horse mackerel, such manpower as was still available within the Fisheries Research Centre was reallocated last year to increase the research effort on these stocks, which will support the expansion of Irish marine fisheries. I place a high priority on research on such non-quota stocks, and on expanding it wherever possible. It must still be stressed, however, that the current level of research expenditure comes to no more than about 1 per cent of the first sale value of the marine landings. I will be seeking to increase this level of investment.
In furtherance of this Government's fisheries development policy, I am determined to put the scientific services of my Department on a sound footing so that the Irish fishing industry is not denied the benefit of a research effort comparable to those enjoyed by the other maritime States of the Community.
One of the most outstanding problems facing fish and shellfish farmers is the disruption to trade and the mortalities of stock resulting from exceptional blooms of microscopic marine plants — the phenomenon known as red tides. In 1988 one such outbreak caused the closure of mussel production in the south-west for 23 weeks, from July to October. In earlier years marine fish farmers have had their stock severely depleted by a particular type of red tide which suffocated large numbers of salmon and sea trout in the sea cages. Therefore, I have increased the 1989 budget for research in this area by £50,000 to buy new equipment for the Fisheries Research Centre.
Another aquaculture subject of primary importance which is being addressed by my Department is the ouster disease "Bonamia" which, although believed harmless to the human consumer, is capable of wiping out whole stocks of the native oyster. In order to tackle the speedy diagnosis of this disease, I have allocated an extra £15,000 to the Fish Pathology Unit in my Department's Fisheries Research Centre to purchase newly developed equipment from France.
Inland fisheries is a sensitive subject and I do not intend for the moment to go beyond what has been included in the Programme for Government 1989-1993. The rod licence problem is part of a wider issue involving the funding of the development of our inland fisheries as an important national resource.
A major effort will be undertaken at the highest level to resolve the current dispute in full consultation with fisheries boards, angling clubs and tourist boards keeping in mind the financing and development of inland fisheries. I have already issued a statement to this effect and I have indicated my willingness to meet the anti-rod licence group for exploratory talks. I should like to assure the House that I will do everything possible to find a reasonable and equitable solution to this problem.
The State harbours have taken over responsibility from the Office of Public Works for the harbours at Howth, Dunmore East and Dún Laoghaire. Both Howth and Dunmore East are designated fishery harbour centres and will operate in this context once the necessary legislative changes are in place. As the House is aware the Department of the Marine is running the Dún Laoghaire harbour since 1 January and we have to put legislation in place with regard to it.
The Marine Institute is very important as the House has been made aware already. The Government have approved in principle the establishment of an institute the aim of which is to undertake, co-ordinate, promote and assist marine research and to provide related services. From the truncated version of my speech the House will know how important that is.
With regard to shipping policy, I have already mentioned that it was part of my predcessor's achievement that grants of 25 per cent towards the purchase of new or secondhand ships up to seven years old are now available; a corporation profit tax rate of 10 per cent, the business expansion scheme and NADCORP are also there to build up the fleet.
In relation to marine safety, as the House is aware, the most significant development was the decision by the previous Government at the end of last May to position a Dauphin helicopter at Shannon from September 1989 — this helicopter to be available on a 24-hour response basis throughout the year. The rescue earlier this year of 11 men of the crew of the fishing vessel Big Cat at Valentia indicates the importance of the coast life saving service. I am glad to inform the House that six new stations at areas of major fishing activity are to be set up at Burtonport, Killybegs, Killala Bay, Achill, Castletownbere and Howth. I would draw the attention of the House to the fact that the west coast is well served now, better served than it had been before.
This year my Department will make a contribution of £100,000 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. This contribution is in recognition of the sterling work carried out on a voluntary basis by the institution in Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome again the decision of the RNLI to establish, on a trail basis, a new main station at Ballyglass, County Mayo, and to encourage the general public to give generously to the RNLI. I would like to record my appreciation and that of the Government for the noble men and women of the rescue agencies who risk their lives to save others.
Aithníonn an Rialtas seo an deis iontach atá ag baint lenár n-acmhainní mara ó thaobh forbairt eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta de. Táimid lán-sásta gur féidir linn an cuspóir seo a shroisint trí réim scéimeanna a bheas á chur i ngníomh le linn an Phleain Naisiúnta 1989-1993. Táim ag súil le cuntas a thabhairt ar ais don Teach seo mar gheall mar gheall ar fhíor dul chun cinn sna limistéir seo le linn na blianta atá romhainn.
