21 Márta 2012, 15:21
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture today heard detailed briefing from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD on harnessing Ireland's marine resources.
An integrated marine plan for Ireland, Our Ocean Wealth was launched earlier this year. The public consultation phase currently underway seeks to explore the potential of Ireland’s vast marine resource.
Minister Coveney said that Ireland historically has turned his back on the sea and that the Government’s integrated approach would allow Ireland to better harness its ocean potential. He outlined that the marine industry internationally is worth about €1.2 trillion globally, and predicted significant growth in Ireland of deep sea fish farming and cruise ship visits in the coming years.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “Our Committee heard an upbeat assessment from Minister Coveney on the opportunities to tap the potential of Ireland's seas. Taking our sea area into account, Ireland is one of the EU’s largest Member States physically. Our Committee strongly supports the sustainable exploitation of our marine resources.
“The Minister explained that the Plan takes some inspiration from the integrated approach of the now booming agri-food sector, in which public and private sectors are working in a coordinated manner. Harnessing our ocean potential in a sustainable way has the potential to provide relatively ‘easy wins’ for Ireland in employment and commercial opportunities.
“With a significant representation from Members of our coastal communities on the Committee, we intend to take up the Minister’s invitation to make a contribution to the public consultation.”
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: www.ouroceanwealth.ie
Separately, but related to some strands of the Minister’s address, the Committee yesterday engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with the Roald Næss, Ambassador of Norway and Mette Agerup, Assistant Director at the Norwegian Ministry of Oil and Energy.
Committee Chairman Andrew Doyle TD commented: “Norway is held up as an example of international good practice in the area of offshore exploration. With the recent news of an oil strike off the Cork coast, such exploration has the potential to intensify in Ireland in the coming years.
“The Committee heard that, since the discovery of oil in 1965, the primary objective for the Norwegian government has been to ensure that their natural resources are administrated for the benefit of the Norwegian society as a whole. The overriding principle that the oil and gas reserves belong to the people brought the Norwegian public on board at an early stage, and consequently, no major project was delayed through local objections.
“While taking on board the view of the witnesses that the Norwegian system could not be applied in its entirety in Ireland, the simplicity and pragmatism of the Norwegian approach was illuminating for the Committee. Incorporating these lessons, the Committee intends to publish a report and recommendations on an issue critical to Ireland’s future prosperity and sustainability.”
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