Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth – the journey begins!
The launch by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on July 31 of the Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth strategy roadmap will be seen by most of Ireland’s wider maritime community as a significant achievement by this government, and a welcome first step on the road to tapping into a global market estimated to be worth €1.20bn.
The six months process leading to last month’s launch can be traced back to February when Minister Coveney posed 10 questions that he hoped would stimulate the public into providing ideas and suggestions to generate sustainable growth in a thriving maritime economy.
One hundred and ninety-two submissions were eventually received. We now have not only a strategic road map but also a promise from the Taoiseach that no time will be lost implementing it.
From start to finish this entire process has been a master-class of meticulous planning – choreographed by the civil service.
It is noteworthy too that the Taoiseach himself launched the final document – a reaction perhaps to the stinging criticisms carried in this publication and in the wider media that compared to Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, Enda Kenny was not visible enough in the effort to attract marine-related investment from abroad.
Headlines such as ‘Ireland is closed for business’ prompted by mounting frustration in the marine renewables sector in particular would seem to have hit home.
If that is true then we can expect to see Taoiseach Kenny taking a more visible ‘hands-on’ involvement in the maritime sector. And if that happens, it will then be interesting to see the response – if any – from the international marine renewables bodies who have criticised him.
Another key presence at the launch was Minister Simon Coveney whose task it will be to pilot the new strategy.
Minister Coveney is undoubtedly one of the few shining stars in this government. He has proven himself to be a talented, hard-working and clear-thinking minister who is not only knowledgeable about his marine brief but also passionate about it. He also has an enviable ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts clearly.
It must be hoped that just as he has familiarised himself with the challenges and the opportunities in the marine sphere, Minister Coveney will not find himself in a new department as the result of a cabinet reshuffle.
Minister Coveney has succeeded in winning the confidence of the wider maritime community who see him doing a first-class job.
There is much more work to be done however. The strategy document just launched is not the end – it’s only the beginning. And if it is not to end up like so many others as just another dust-catcher, decisive and bold leadership will be required.
With Minister Coveney at the wheel and Taoiseach Kenny in the co-driver’s seat, this could be the start of a very rewarding journey for Ireland’s maritime sector.
