Vol. 418 No. 4
16 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give details regarding the setting up of the Marine Institute with regard to, (a) staffing, (b) research funding, (c) research projects initiated and (d) when a report will be presented to himself and laid before the Oireachtas.
42 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the up-to-date position regarding the setting up of the Marine Research Institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
50 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the progress made in regard to the implementation of the Marine Institute Act; when it is expected that the institute will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 42 and 50 together.
I have already signalled my intention to establish the Marine Institute. With this objective in mind, I am currently reviewing all matters relating to the establishment of the institute. In particular, I have given considerable thought to the composition of the board and I will be finalising my considerations in that regard fairly shortly.
Work is progressing in my Department on the staffing, budgetary and other administrative and policy issues involved in setting up the institute. Many of these issues are complex, requiring a process of consultation and, indeed, negotiation, but I am satisfied that good incremental progress can be made in the short term, in line with my objective of establishment at the earliest possible date.
We must now proceed to other questions.
