asked the Minister for the Marine where the Marine Institute will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Marine Institute.
8.
As the Taoiseach has already announced, it is proposed that the head-quarters of the Marine Institute will be in Galway. However, it is not envisaged, at this stage, that any of the component parts of the institute will be moved from their existing locations.
The aim of Government in establishing the Marine Institute is to bring together, under one authority, all the resources of the State which are currently allocated to marine research, and to co-ordinate the activities of marine research agencies. The objective of the institute will be to undertake, promote, co-ordinate, and assist marine research, and to provide related services.
A total of 11 State-funded organisations are involved in marine research or marine-related research. These organisations fall into four categories, viz. Government Departments, State-sponsored bodies, and the universities. Some of these organisations will be directly responsible to the board of the institute, others will be involved in the work of the institute through work commissioned from them.
Since the Minister now informs the House that it is not proposed to transfer any personnel, what kind of decision has been made? Can he elaborate on when and where this Marine Institute will be located and who will be employed there? Is this another phantom announcement of the type made about the location of a marine institute in the sixties when the Taoiseach was Minister for Fisheries?
The institute will be established on a statutory basis under legislation which we hope to have in the House later this year. It will bring together the various strands already connected with maritime research. That may not necessarily mean the relocation of people involved in that area. The research institute will put in place a sophisticated data bank facility. We have already had communications with people in various organisations here and in the Government Departments involved, as well as with the European Community. The institute will have a European dimension and will be part of the overall development of marine research within the Community. We have already had discussions with the French authorities and with the EC Commissioner who visited Galway and had discussions with officials at my Department and with some of the personnel involved in research.
It is being done on a brass plate basis.
I do not know why the Deputy has to be so negative about everything.
We have been waiting 20 years for it. Would the Minister blame me?