Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:44 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine whether the recent resignation of a person (details supplied) from the board of the Marine Institute is a matter for concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Marine Institute Resignation.
Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:45 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine his views on the criticisms of the Marine Institute contained in a letter of resignation from a person (details supplied) that the Institute was spending more on its image than it was on research.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
The recent resignation of Mr. Matt Murphy as a board member of the institute is naturally a matter of regret to me and to the Minister of State. In accordance with the provisions of the Marine Institute Act, 1991 Mr. Murphy was appointed to a vacancy on the board of the institute last July by virtue of his contribution over many years to advancing the case for development of our marine resources. While regretting Mr. Murphy's decision to resign after only a matter of months I fully accept that he has taken this decision for his own reasons.
I do not however accept the criticism made by Mr. Murphy that the institute was spending more on its image than it was on research. The factual position is that expenditure to date in 1993 by the institute on public relations amounts to less than 1 per cent of the institute's total Exchequer grant allocation for the year.
Since the board of the institute was appointed in November, 1992 its activities have been dedicated to advancing a number of key issues in order to establish the institute on a sound basis. The appointment of a chief executive officer will, I understand, be announced shortly. The institute is also finalising arrangements to acquire a premises in Dublin commensurate with its need for a small administrative base and to accommodate the National Marine Data Centre. The institute has also assisted and advised the Department, in the context of the National Development Plan on key marine research investment priorities. It has also initiated a comprehensive review of national marine research capabilities, priorities and potential for development and job creation. I am confident that the institute will play a critical role in our work to develop the national marine resource and I am fully supportive of the board's effort to date to establish the institute as a fully operational entity.
I am also taking this opportunity to announce that I have this week appointed Mr. Fergus Cahill, chief executive of Irish National Petroleum Corporation who has a longstanding interest in and concern for marine matters to the board of the institute.