Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their very detailed presentation regarding our ocean wealth and the work done with regard to it. There was very little mention of climate change in it. It was only mentioned three times. Surely climate change will be a major factor in terms of what we do with our ocean wealth. Where are the figures in the meetings and discussions? How do the witnesses believe they can work as part of an overall Government plan? Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth seems to be working and the climate change agenda could do with the same set-up that works so well with Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth. How do the witnesses see this working? It seems a bit tiresome to say this at this stage but what happens to our oceans will bring about a substantial change for the rest of the country and the rest of the world, regardless of what we do. For this reason, we need to address it and factor it in to all aspects of government and everything government does.

Mr. Shaw spoke referred to the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill. How is that working in co-ordination? In terms of developing offshore wind energy in the Irish Sea, we need the foreshore development Bill to be passed. It has been recognised for years that this legislation is needed. What is happening with that? What can the marine co-ordination group do to move it forward?

Dr. Beamish probably knows that a large number of Killybegs-based fishermen working in countries such as Germany and the UK on offshore facilities because they are highly qualified. When the boats are tied up in Killybegs, they are away working in Europe, yet there is nowhere in Ireland for them to work. We cannot harness our own expertise, including our boat-building expertise. We cannot build our own boats that would facilitate these offshore wind energy developments. This is something that could be done in Ireland because we have information, technology and boat-building facilities. We should be gearing up for it. We have the personnel, who are highly sought after in Europe, but there is no work for them here. That is something we could gear up for.

Where is the fishing community factored in with regard to the overall wealth the witnesses say is generated? How do the growth and wealth figures break down in terms of fishing and the marine? I imagine a significant part of that is probably sea transport. How does that break down?