Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the commitment of the Minister to the maritime and fishing sectors. Places like west Cork have a proud tradition in shipbuilding, particularly in areas around Baltimore, but where I live only one shipwright is left, and he will not mind my saying that he will not be around for very long more as he will be looking to retire shortly, and there is a general dearth of skills. The national maritime college of Ireland is a hugely successful story in terms of the way it attracts graduates and in the way it links to larger elements of the maritime industry, whether that be the merchant marine or other specialities. I am interested in how tradesmen who have a basic skill level for onshore work might be attracted to the maritime sector, whether in sea fishing, the leisure industry, commercial activities or general maintenance in a variety of disciplines. This might allow the industry to up its game in parts of this country where, at the moment, there is not considered to be a future. It would require a different type of thinking from bodies such as BIM. The people of whom I talk may have basic skills, which would not enable them to make a living onshore or to attract work in the offshore sector, but by combining both might be able to satisfy the basic requirements of the industry in smaller ports and harbours. This would provide a varied future for tradespeople in those ports and harbours.

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