Cabinet recognition of Ireland’s marine resource potential

Government commitment to develop Ireland’s marine resource was underpinned by the presence of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and four cabinet colleagues at the first annual conference of Our Ocean Wealth – the integrated marine plan for Ireland last month.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny; Minister Simon Coveney; Minister Fergus O’Dowd; Minister Pat Rabbitte and Minister Sean Sherlock speaking at Our Ocean Wealth conference

“Today’s conference is a way of showing that the government is serious about the potential of this sector, and that we’ve decided to take real, strong, clear action,” remarked An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

“And we’re saying to people who are thinking about investment to look at this plan, and look at our progress. You can see where our commitment is. Add to that your ideas, your own initiatives, your own propositions because now is the time to get really serious about this.

“It’s time to get really involved and time to get really committed. The frontiers up ahead are changing by the week. We’ve got the capacity and the potential in our young people – specialists in science – who have that creativity, that ingenuity to deal with the opportunities of the future in a way that has never even been contemplated in the past.

“We’re removing obstacles, and we’re opening the way for sustainable investment in the marine sector in Ireland,” he added.

Endorsing these sentiments, marine minister Simon Coveney however noted Ireland’s poor historic recognition of this projected multi-billion euro resource:

“In my view it is really a source of some shame it has taken us until now to really drive and put together a focused and integrated marine strategy for Ireland, despite the efforts of many people in this room who have been passionate about this sector for many, many years. We’re on a very exciting voyage together.

“I can assure you that right at the top of government…we have people who are determined to make this strategy a reality, and to work with you to ensure that we fulfill the potential of Ireland’s largest and most valuable resource ― not only between now and 2020 but beyond then.”

Minister Coveney praised the work of the Marine Co-ordination Group for “working hard and going beyond the call-of-duty in some cases to make the plan happen.

“We shouldn’t forget that it is personalities who will be the drivers towards a brighter future in a way that will make us all start talking about the marine,” he added.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute called for the international dimension of maritime research to be increased, and he highlighted the success of a joint project on board the RV Celtic Explorer involving Irish and Canadian marine scientists.

He welcomed the fact that Ireland’s “national blind spot” to the marine had all but disappeared now that government has realised the major impact the sector could have on the economy.

“I think the fact that An Taoiseach and four ministers are speaking at this conference demonstrates that the marine sector is now at the high-end of government awareness and priorities.

“And we shouldn’t forget either that one of the three over-arching goals of the OOW strategy is to promote an engagement of Irish society with the maritime dimension. The evidence is solidly there that the marine resource is finally receiving an unprecendented level of political focus and attention.”