Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning and welcome to our National Stakeholder Conference on the EU Maritime Green Paper.
I am very happy to see that we have had an excellent turn out today and I want to thank you all for making the effort to attend, particularly those of you who have had to travel to today’s event. I would also thank Commissioner Borg who has taken the time to participate and who will, in a moment, say a few words about the Green Paper.
This Conference represents an opportunity to further explore the issues raised by the Green
Paper and facilitate the involvement of you, the stakeholders. While many of those present will already have submitted views, this forum provides an additional chance to contribute to the debate and discussion around the development of European Maritime Policy.
The submissions received during the consultation process and the views expressed here today will help the relevant Departments and the Marine Institute in drafting a national position on the Green Paper in the coming weeks. Minister Dempsey and I hope to have a Government position prepared and ready for a timely response to the European Commission in April.
Of course, the Green paper consultation is just the first step in a process: I understand that the Commission are intending to bring forward proposals arsing from the Green Paper consultation process in autumn but perhaps I will leave it to Dr Borg to talk more about that.
It is timely that the European Commission has published an EU Green Paper on Maritime Policy as it is a very exciting time for the marine sector in Ireland with a number of major developments currently underway. I feel that Ireland has a lot to offer the European Community and hope that the investment in knowledge and resources in which Ireland has invested over the years can be put to good use in helping to ensure the sustainable development of a European maritime sector.
At the end of January this year the Taoiseach, Minister Dempsey and I launched the Government’s National Seafood Strategy. This strategy based on work conducted by Dr Noel Cawley among others, is aimed at developing the Irish seafood sector in a sustainable, profitable and competitive manner. The strategy has the potential to generate over €1 billion for the economy and to provide a sustainable livelihood for people living and working in coastal communities.
The strategy will involve investment of almost €600 million from the public and private sector funding and is a major commitment to the Irish seafood sector.
Turning to research and innovation in the marine sector, Minister Dempsey launched a number of major initiatives just a few weeks ago on his visit to the Marine Institute in Galway.
Firstly, there is the National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy or the Sea Change Strategy. The strategy highlights the need to focus on market-led opportunities in sustainable energy, food production, transport, technology and environmental well-being. A total of €365 million is being committed to this strategy which will deliver the type of high-growth, high-value added industries and jobs that will ensure Ireland’s competitiveness and the sustainability of coastal communities.
Complementing this strategy is a new awards scheme with a budget of €20 million over 7 years. It will support marine research activities in 3rd level institutes. This scheme will enhance Ireland’s already substantial European and international reputation in marine research and innovation.
While the Sea Change Strategy and the awards scheme are not directly linked to the Green paper they are consistent with the principles underlying it.
The Green Paper, as everyone here is no doubt aware, cuts across a range of sectors and issues including maritime transport, industry, coastal regions, energy, fisheries, aquaculture, the marine environment and socio-economic cohesion.
As such, it represents a significant challenge but also an important opportunity for Ireland and the EU to apply new strategies and innovative thinking for the wider marine sector.
Ireland’s contribution to the formulation of the Green Paper has been referred to, on a number of occasions by Commissioner Borg and is referenced in the Green Paper itself. Specifically the EUROCEAN Conference held in 2004 during the Irish Presidency, which culminated in the “Galway Declaration”, is cited as influencing the Green Paper’s message of the imperative of sustainable development of the oceans and seas.
I think that is something that we can be justifiably proud of and I would like to thank Dr Peter Heffernan and his colleagues in the Marine Institute for their contribution to that process. Indeed I would like to note the consistently excellent work that Peter and his team have delivered over the years and for their hard work in organising today’s event.
Finally, I would like to say that as an island nation with over 220 million acres of maritime territory I think it is vitally important that Ireland continue to play a key role in development of maritime policy in the EU. As part of this process Minister Dempsey and I are committed to the formulation of a well thought-out position paper for submission to the European Commission. In order to achieve this we need your participation.
I would like to ask everyone contributing today to bear in mind that what is being discussed is European maritime policy and how Ireland can contribute to that. The implications and opportunities that will arise from this process are in a sense for another day.
Thank you again for making the effort to come along today - I am looking forward to what I am sure we will be a day of interesting and stimulating discussion.