Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur arís roimh an Aire agus na daoine ó Roinn na Mara.
I will start where I left off on the last occasion, a Chathaoirligh, and that is that the proposal to establish a Marine Institute is indeed to be welcomed, as well as the obvious requirement for research into fisheries which are of great importance to us at this point, the quality of water, etc., and other research of a scientific nature. Research is also needed in new materials, machinery and vessel design, in the fishing, commercial and leisure areas.
Dealing with the leisure side of it for a moment — even though from what I know of it I would not call it "leisure" where they are just now — I would like to place on record my congratulations to Ron Holland and all those involved in NCB Ireland who are carrying the banner and the flag of this small nation around the world. While other nations have been in the Whitbread around the World Race since its initiation and have gained massive experience from other races, we are relatively new to such an event. Joe English, the skipper, and all his crew have taken on the world in this event and, as far as I am concerned, even if they finish last, to me they are winners because they have dared and tried and they have given a warning to all that they are a force to be reckoned with in the future.
The design of yachts and boats is an important part of the industry at which the Institute, when set up, could take a deep look because of a complete lack of knowledge in boat design. To our credit in Kerry, Tralee Regional Technical College is going some way towards rectifying the latter problem by the provision of a national certificate in boat technology and production. This certificate course operates over a two year period, with an intake of students every two years. There are eight graduates from the first intake of students and there are currently eight studying in the second year of the second intake of students. These students are finishing off the construction of a revolutionary 25-foot yacht designed by the course director, Leonard J. Brewood. Leonard himself is a great ocean-going man, who is also part-time skipper captain of the Asgard. The students are working on design projects consisting of a 65-foot passenger catamaran, the conversion of a trawler to an “emigrant ship” which will be used in the Blennerville Cultural Heritage Centre, and a fish farming vessel for mussel harvesting.
While the course content is providing a good mix of subjects, that is, 60 per cent of naval architecture and related subjects and 40 per cent business, finance and office procedure, to suit the needs of the industry, it is difficult without the back-up of a body such as the Institute to make much of an impression on the industry. The Institute would give authority to the need for technicians with design skills by the organisation of seminars and the dissemmation of literature. In order to make full use of modern materials and modern design for passenger vessels, such as catamarans, it is necessary for the Institute to examine and make recommendations for the enactment of new regulations to replace outdated Acts. If possible, the Institute should instigate research into the design of small harbours, such as the marina type, to fully develop the potential of Ireland's coast. The west coast, for example, is the greatest potential sailing area in Europe and the provision of small harbours of the marina type would greatly assist the sea-angling business on the west coast. The former and present Ministers for the Marine and the Government have taken great steps towards this end but we are basically groping in the dark without a proper marine institute, so that the necessary research and planning can be carried out well in advance.
I suppose people would say I was talking through my hat if I said that, historically, we do not have a good record in relation to the sea and fishing, with the notable exception of St. Brendan, the Navigator, who actually started in Brandon Creek in the Dingle Peninsula to go to find a new world——