asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he feels that the recent Government decision to reduce funding on Ireland's only marine research vessel Lough Beltra from £190,000 in 1985 to £84,000 this year is justified; if he agrees with the OECD report in 1975 that a country in Ireland's position would need three such vessels; if he is aware of the vital importance of marine research to an island country such as this; and if so, if he will endeavour to get the Government to reverse this decision to cut the funding for the Lough Beltra by 56 per cent.
Written Answers. - Marine Research Policy.
37.
The decision to reduce the funding for the Lough Beltra in 1986 has to be viewed in the context of the current general financial situation. As the Deputy will be aware, this is one of a number of Government decisions brought about by the need to keep the deficit on current expenditure within manageable proportions.
I am, of course, aware of the wide sweeping recommendations in the OECD report prepared in 1975 on marine science policy for Ireland. Furthermore, I fully recognise the vital importance of marine research to this country. Indeed I recently established a marine science and technology task force who are currently considering the appropriate structures for the development of marine science and technology in this country and their application to national development.
The reduction in funding of the Lough Beltra must be regarded as being without prejudice to the longer term recommendations which will emerge from the work of the task force or the steps which will be taken to implement those recommendations.