Vol. 509 No. 5
41 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of fish pathologists employed by his Department; and if he has satisfied himself that there are sufficient staff in his Department to cope with the expansion in the fisheries and aquaculture areas. [20733/99]
The Marine Institute is responsible for the national fish health unit which is based in Abbotstown, and which comprises one fish pathologist, one microbiologist and four laboratory technicians. The additional resource needs of the unit are being quantified and pursued in co-operation with my Department in the context of the Marine Institute's overall human resource strategy. I fully endorse and will continue to support the Marine Institute's strategic objective to expand and develop the fish health unit to deliver top class services in the fish health and consumer health area.
The institute will continue to develop "best practice" services for the detection and prevention of fish disease and enhanced fish health monitoring and advisory services for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
As part of its strategy to enhance the national fish health service, investment in new laboratory facilities for the unit has been undertaken in the last 12 months. Continued development and enhancement of the unit and its programmes is a key priority.
