Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Heffernan for his presentation and commend him for his enthusiasm for the work of the staff of the Marine Institute. Once again, I regret the €1 billion contribution, in the form of free fish, as shown on slide No. 3, which we give to our European partners every year and which is not recognised. As a member of the European Union for 40 years, we have now made a contribution of €40 billion in today's money. This is often not recognised when people talk about what we get from the European Union. It is never too late to recognise that we also make a significant contribution in kind to it.

Dr. Heffernan has provided some of the answers on what is the issue for the committee. Relative to how other countries carry out research on the poly-use of ocean energy and marine life and plants, how does our investment rate in this very important sector, taking account of the size of our territory? What are the most important issues on which the Government could provide assistance for the Marine Institute? What should we do to help the institute in its work to develop the potential of the oceans? Would further investment reap long-term dividends in terms of economic development? It is a question of using scarce resources wisely. We have put money into biotechnology and ICT.

Is more money needed and, if it were given, which areas would the delegates prioritise? From where and when would the economic dividend come to the people?