The new Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, has promised better "customer service" for coastal communities, and says the Corrib gas field will be used to accelerate economic development in the west if it proves to be viable.
Speaking in Rossaveal, Co Galway, yesterday, the Minister also said he intended to publish a policy document shortly on seabased windfarms, with a view to exploring the use of wind and wave power as a significant source of renewable energy.
The Minister and Galway West TD chose his home fishing port to outline his priorities, which he billed as a "new vision" for marine and natural resources. He said he was committed to the £171 million seafood industry strategy outlined in the National Development Plan, and said his main objective for the fishing fleet was safety and efficiency.
The Minister said he was planning a comprehensive review of the seafood processing sector, and also voiced support for sustainable development of aquaculture. "We will actively encourage a new partnership between the catching, aquaculture and processing sectors to ensure that the Irish seafood industry is cohesive and strategically focused in the international marketplace," Mr Fahey added.
Top of his wish list is the "customer" in coastal communities, and the Minister said there was a need to make scientific, technical and other advisory and support services more accessible at regional and coastal level. "I have asked the Department, the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara to review and develop all the options for strengthening those services," he said. This would include a "one-stop shop" approach and greater devolution to the regions. The Minister said he would be "focusing" on the Corrib gas field. If it was deemed commercial, he would facilitate Enterprise Oil and its partners in ensuring that the gas was brought onshore to feed into the Irish distribution grid. "I want to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, Irish goods, services and employment are used at all stages of development," he said. "I will also work to see this find used to accelerate economic development in the BMW region."
Mr Fahey said he would further the case at international level for extending the frontiers of Ireland's seabed territory and would seek a clear definition of the outer limits of our continental shelf under international law. He said he would like to see the new Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), which was established by his predecessor, Dr Woods, becoming an IDA-style promotional body for shipping.
The Minister gave priority to research and training, marine food safety and safety at sea and said that the new National Maritime College in Cork would provide the foundation for a new generation of highly qualified seafaring professionals.
The chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, Mr Joey Murrin, welcomed the Minister's appointment and said he looked forward to working with a man of "energy and commitment" who represented the Connacht region.
