Wicklow Port Company transfers to local authority
An Order has been signed to transfer Wicklow Port Company to Wicklow County Council. This east coast port is the first of five 'Ports of Regional Significance' to complete the transfer, identified under the 2013 National Ports Policy.
The Harbours Act 2015 provides the legislative basis for the transfers to proceed. Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross will follow 'to more appropriate local authority led governance structures' a statement reads.
Great Lighthouses of Ireland shine a light on summer
Seven lighthouses around the coast of Ireland are opening their doors over the May Bank Holiday weekend for a weekend of fun, discovery, stories and thrills.
For hundreds of years, lighthouses have helped seafarers find their way. Now they shine their light on truly unique experiences around the coastline. This will be a special opportunity to get behind the scenes with experts from Irish Lights, and to learn about technology and navigation today. Local historians and storykeepers will provide tours that showcase the natural and cultural highlights.
“Visitors tell us that getting to the top of a lighthouse tower is a unique and special experience. Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, we are encouraging everyone to come and enjoy all that the Great Lighthouses of Ireland (GLI) has to offer,” remarked Yvonne Shields, Irish Lights chief executive.
Actions identified to improve ocean governance
A five-month public consultation (June-October 2015) on international ocean governance has identified the need for better implementation and coordination, as well as filling legal gaps and improving ocean knowledge.
Respondents from Portugal, Malta, USA, Norway, Chile, Spain, France and Ireland agreed that the EU has an important role to play in the global fight against illegal fishing; driving the agenda for a new international legal agreement under the UN to preserve marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and promoting research cooperation through the 2013 Galway Declaration ― Atlantic Ocean research alliance with the EU and Canada.
Marine ‘business as usual’ no longer an option, says Coveney
The marine sector could deliver over 29,000 additional jobs and an addditonal €2.7bn in economic growth by 2020. "Ireland is now firmly on what I believe is an unstoppable voyage of marine expansion."
Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, was addressing over 500 delegates at the second annual Harnessing our Ocean Wealth conference at the National Maritime College of Ireland (July 9).
Publication in 2012 of Ireland's first 'blueprint' for the marine, which straaddles nine departments on the government's Marine Coordination Group, has begun a peocess of "radical change" in the approach to marine policy. Government commitment to the sector is reinforced by the "first ever review on taxation" to be reflected in the October budget, he added.
Cutting edge facility opens in Ireland’s maritime quarter
Ireland’s head of government, Enda Kenny, has officially opened the UCC Beaufort Building, in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. The 4,700m2 five-storey building comprises the latest in wave simulators, test tanks, workshops and offices within a purpose-built infrastructure for renewable energy and maritime research to power Ireland’s ‘blue economy’.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny inspects the Irish Naval guard of honour at the official opening of the UCC Beaufort Building in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
Speaking at the opening, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that marine R&D was a part of government’s plan to rebuild a “sustainable enterprise-based economy” as the oceans increasingly support more jobs, enterprise and research.
Transfer of five Irish ports to local authority control
Government approval for the Harbours Bill 2015 will see the transfer of control of five 'Ports of Regional Significance' (Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow) to local authority-led goverance strucutures.
The Bill provides the legal basis to allow for a Ministerial Order, and also enhances management procedures of 'Ports of National Significance' namely Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes and Waterford.
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, a 'Port of Regional Significance' to be transferred to local authority governance. Photo Gillian Mills
Procedures include new statutory skillsets for directors; requirement for prospective chairpersons to appear before elected representatives to discuss the appointment; statutory requireiment regarding accountability of chairpersons and CEOs, and a maximum ten-year overall term of office for directors.
‘Cool Route’ from Cork to Arctic Circle
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) has been awarded a project to develop a maritime tourism route between Cork and Arctic Circle areas of Norway. The Northern Peripheral and Arctic (NPA) Interreg VB Project funds projects that address transnational innovation, enterprise development and entrepreneurship across participating territories of south and west Ireland; Northern Ireland; western and northern Scotland; the Faroe Islands; western Norway, Iceland and Greenland.
Brjánslækur Bay on Iceland’s west coast boasts countless islands beyond a hinterland of mountains and glaciers; geothermal pools; rivers and lakes and fertile regions. Photo Ágúst Magnússon
The €1.3m project, Cruising Oceans on Latitudes above 51˚ North – The Cool Route, will research all of the logistical, business, and marketing planning, and support complimentary marine and shore-based tourism initiatives en route.
Ireland’s ‘blue economy’ is premium performer
Ireland's maritime economy grew by 9% from 2010-2012 against general growth in GDP of 4.75%, according to the 3rd Report on Ireland's Ocean Economy published by the Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU) in Galway.
Pictured on board the LE Samuel Beckett are: Officer Commanding L.E. Samuel Beckett Lt Cdr Anthony Geraghty; Minister Simon Coveney; Conor Healy CEO Cork Chamber, and BIM chairman, Kiernan Calnan
Latest figures for 2012-2014 continue this trend with growth rates of 8% and employment increase from 17,425 to 18,480 full-time equivalents.
| 2010 | 2012 | % Change 2010-2012 | 2014 (estimated) | % Change 2012-2014 (e) | |
| GVA | €1.2 billion | €1.3 billion | 9.2% | €1.4 billion | 8.2% |
| %GDP | 0.7% GDP | 0.7% GDP | 4.3% | 0.8% GDP | 3.1% |
| Turnover | €3.1 billion | €4.2 billion | 33.1% | €4.5 billion | 7.6% |
| Employment | 16,614 FTEs | 17,425 FTEs | 4.9% | 18,480 FTEs | 6.1% |
The value of Ireland's maritime economy, commercial opportunities and its contribution to the Irish economy will be discussed at a major industry conference, Our Ocean Wealth, on July 10 in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
HRH The Prince of Wales visits the Marine Institute
On his four-day visit to Ireland, HRH The Prince of Wales visited the Marine Institute where he met Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for the Marine, Simon Coveney, Peter Heffernan, Marine Institute CEO and talked to staff about their work in areas including analysing the imapact of climate change on the ocean; sustainable fisheries; marine bio-diversity and international collaboration on ocean research.
HRH The Prince of Wales on his visit to the Marine Institute where he was presented with a fossil coral from Mullaghmore Co Sligo by Prof Andy Wheeler (UCC), watched by Minister Simon Coveney and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Photo: Andrews Downes XPOSURE