Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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615. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the key elements of the action plan for a maritime strategy in the Atlantic area, achieved under the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36179/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Developing and supporting Blue Growth was one of the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the European Union. Specifically, we aimed at concluding an Action Plan for the Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean area and obtaining European Council endorsement of that Plan. We were successful in both objectives. The Irish Presidency also managed to achieve the first step in internationalising the Atlantic Strategy, with the signing of an Atlantic Ocean research alliance between the EU, Canada and the US, at a high-level meeting in Galway on 24 May.

The Action Plan for the Atlantic Strategy identifies priority areas to tackle common challenges in the Atlantic area and deliver smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs across the economic, environmental, research, innovation, safety and security dimensions of the Atlantic maritime region involving Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, and the UK. Specifically, objectives have been proposed to deliver on the priorities of promoting entrepreneurship and innovation; protecting, securing and developing the potential of the Atlantic marine and coastal environment; improving accessibility and connectivity; and creating a socially inclusive and sustainable model of regional development.

A copy of the Atlantic Action Plan together with detailed further information is available at: .