Marine research is an issue to which I attach considerable priority. As an indication of my commitment in this area, the Marine Institute Act, 1991, is now on the Statute Book and my Department are working on the detail to allow for the early establishment of the institute. The institute will provide a mechanism for the coherent application and co-ordination of the State's efforts in this sector.
Marine research within my Department is at present undertaken by the Fisheries Research Centre and it is concentrated on fish stock assessment, aquaculture, the marine environment and fish pathology. Research is geared to the support of economic development and the protection of the marine environment. The establishment of the Marine Institute will facilitate the enhancement of present efforts and in that context will draw on resources available in the south-west.
Finally, I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to a question from him dated 21 March 1991 about the shellfish industry and a research centre in the south-west.