David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. While what the Minister has proposed is excellent, as are the other initiatives taken in this area, the situation about which I am speaking is different. We need to focus specifically on the marine sector. For many years now we have turned our backs on the sea and ocean surrounding Ireland. With the advent of liners coming into Cobh and other places, there is huge potential in this area. The south coast of Ireland is on one of the busiest sea routes in the world.

In the UK, France and Spain, there are marinas with hundreds of boats and yachts tied up. Why can we not do the same? It is because we did not have a focus or a plan. I am concerned that if it is considered on a county-wide basis the marina will again be sidelined and forgotten. I ask the Minister to consider focusing specifically on the marine element. I am certainly not suggesting ignoring the rest, but we need a specific focus on matters marine and marine tourism.

On the development of marinas, I take the point that it needs a business plan and a cost-benefit analysis, but that has all been done; the Marine Institute has carried out several studies. I understand - the Minister might correct me if I am wrong - the section in the Marine Institute that dealt with that no longer exists, which, if true, would concern me.

I ask the Minister to talk to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Deputy Coveney, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and others. He should look at what has been done in Newfoundland and other places. Can we have one agency dealing with matters to do with marine tourism? At the moment, if one goes to the local authority one is referred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which refers one on to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, which in turn refers one on to the Fáilte Ireland. One is going around the houses, with nobody responsible. We want one agency to pull it all together, with one head who will take this on, one person who will have the passion and drive to make it happen. As I said in my initial contribution, the potential is huge, but we have turned our backs on matters marine for a long time. We are beginning to focus on the Wild Atlantic Way and we can see how much it has yielded and the fantastic thing it is. There is so much more we can do, but we need leadership and drive. I admit that it will cost money, but it will yield multiple amounts.

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