20 Márta 2012, 13:57
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture will tomorrow morning receive a detailed briefing from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD on harnessing Ireland's marine resources.
During 2011, the Government initiated the first steps in developing an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland. Entitled Our Ocean Wealth, the public consultation phase was launched earlier this year and seeks to explore the potential of Ireland’s vast marine resource.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “Our Committee looks forward to discussing with Minister Coveney this exciting new initiative, which attempts to stimulate public debate on tapping the potential of Ireland's seas. Ireland's sea area is ten times larger than its land area, yet we generate only 1.2 per cent of our GDP from this vast natural resource.
\"It is estimated that the global market for marine related resources amounts to over 1 trillion euro annually. This includes products and services such as seafood, tourism, shipping, oil and gas, renewable ocean energy and new applications for health, medicine and technology. Marine resources therefore have significant potential in assisting in Ireland's economic recovery. Committee Members intend to engage with the Minister on how best to harness Ireland's ocean wealth for the benefit of its citizens.\"
The consultation phase is open until the end of this month and it is envisaged that an Integrated Marine Plan will be published during summer 2012. View website.
Preceeding the presentation by the Minister, the Committee will discuss a number of EU Legislative Proposals related to the Common Agricultural Policy.
The meeting takes place at 10:30 a.m tomorrow morning Wednesday 21 March in Committee Room 1, LH 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Ann Phelan, Labour Party
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey
Paschal Mooney
Pat O’Neill
Mary Ann O’Brien
Brian Ó Domhnaill
John Whelan