Nora Owen
Ceist:33 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Marine the likely impact of his proposals for marine research and development.
Written Answers. - Marine Research and Development.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the provision in the National Development Plan for a sigificant marine research and technolgy programme to underpin development of the marine resource.
This programme, which will be undertaken under the auspices of the Marine Institute, will provide the necessary research and technology capability to support further development and job creation in the marine sector. The investment will be directed at meeting the R&D needs of the fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing sectors. It will also be geared to developing marine technology products for the food, pharmaceutical and biochemical sectors. The acquisition of marine data and selective upgrading of the national research vessel capability and laboratories will also be given priority.
The planned programme of investment builds on recent achievements under the EU STRIDE Programme, which in the last three years has seen £10 million invested in key centres of marine expertise throughout the country. This has enabled us to achieve a significant upgrading of Ireland's marine research and technology capacity, bringing it more into line with international standards.
The investment programme will support productivity and job creation objectives in a broad range of marine sectors by enhancing our capacity to exploit marine resources and to achieve higher standards, greater efficiency and added value. Better technology take-up by the marine sectors will directly result in lower costs and improved competitiveness which is vital to development and job creation. The investment will also ensure that the marine sector is properly equipped to meet existing and emerging market opportunities.