Ivor Callely
Ceist:138 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will outline the Government's shipping policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12585/00]
Written Answers. - Shipping Policy.
The development of the maritime sector is highlighted in the Government's Action Programme for the Millennium, as reviewed in November 1999.
The programme gives unique recognition to the strategic importance of the shipping industry and commits to establishing a national maritime college, together with an Irish maritime development office and a national port users forum.
The commitment to set up the Irish maritime development office was delivered, with the necessary legislation to set that body up on a firm statutory basis being passed last December. For the first time in the State's history the shipping industry and the onshore shipping services sector has its own dedicated development office.
The Government's purpose in setting up the Irish maritime development office is not just to encourage the growth of the Irish merchant fleet, but also to facilitate the growth in Ireland of a wide range of shipping related services; ship financing, manning, agency, insurance, chartering, brokerage and maritime legal services. This growth will be achieved through the development of existing Irish services and the attraction of such services from abroad.
A fully costed and developed plan for the establishment of a new national maritime college has been finalised and is in the process of being submitted to Government for determination. This new college, specifically focused on maritime education, will greatly increase the attractiveness of careers at sea and in the shore based maritime sector.
In terms of moving the industry forward, I am pursuing a structured and inclusive approach following consultations with all the representative bodies and interests in the shipping industry. A range of fiscal reliefs for both seafarers and their employers have been secured in recent years.
I am continuing to press the case for incentives and fiscal measures beyond those already in place in terms of corporation tax, income tax allowances for seafarers and PRSI refunds to employers. I will also look at the possibilities for modifying the existing reliefs to make them both more attractive and more effective, and my Department is closely monitoring the tonnage tax situation and especially developments on that front in the UK. This is also being factored in to ongoing discussions with the Department of Finance.
A video and brochure were launched in November 1999, to encourage our young people to take up careers at sea and pursue professional educational and training courses in the maritime area. Copies of the video were placed with every career guidance teacher and are available to interested students.
The shipping sector is well positioned for the future and we can look to it to capture real opportunities and generate new and sustainable jobs.