Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Fishing Industry Development
579. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
his plans for maintaining a sustainable future for the inshore sector; and if he will make a
statement on the matter. [8315/12]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney): In light of the
judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against Ireland concerning non-compliance
with the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, my overriding policy priority for the inshore sector
continues to be to bring all inshore fisheries, and aquaculture, in Natura 2000 sites into full
compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. As part of a major project involving
my Department and its agencies and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, a substantial
body of scientific data and analysis has been generated over the past number of years since the
ECJ judgment. The project is now focused on the roll-out of the bay by bay environmental
assessments required under the Directives.
Three comprehensive assessments were completed in 2011, in respect of Castlemaine Harbour
County Kerry, Dundalk Bay Co. Louth and Roaring Water Bay, Co. Cork. Work is at an
advanced stage in respect of Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal and Clew Bay, Co. Mayo, among
others, and this process will continue throughout 2012 in respect of these and other prioritised
sites.
Any wider policy initiatives for the inshore sector must take account of this policy priority
and the associated legal constraints these Directives impose in terms of putting in place new
licensing or management arrangements for inshore stocks within Natura sites, in advance of
the completion of the necessary environmental assessments.
Departmental Schemes
580. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if
he is successful in changing its co-funding arrangements for EU schemes the effect this will
have on the early retirement scheme. [8317/12]
581. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if
he is successful in changing its co-funding arrangements for EU schemes the effect this will
have on the farm improvement scheme. [8318/12]
582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if
he is successful in changing its co-funding arrangements for EU schemes the effect this will
have on the installation aid programme. [8319/12]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take
Questions Nos. 580 to 582, inclusive, together.
The European Commission has introduced an enabling provision in the rural development
legislation allowing certain Member States, experiencing budgetary constraints, to draw down
existing allocated EAFRD funds up to a maximum rate of 85% under their Rural Development
Programmes during 2012 and 2013 if they continue to receive financial assistance under the
European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism.
My Department has sought an amendment of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013
(RDP) in order to avail of the higher rate of draw down. This amendment is intended to ensure
full draw down of available EU funding and is in line with current budgetary allocations and
projected demand under the Programme schemes. With regard to existing commitments for
schemes, such as the farm improvement scheme, early retirement scheme and the young farm-
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