Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the scientific advice available to his Department from the Marine Institute can be regarded as truly independent in view of the budgetary and staffing control which his Department has over the institute. [2128/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Marine Institute (MI) is a non commercial semi-state body, which was formally established by statute (Marine Institute Act, 1991) in October 1992. The Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI). The Institute works in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and a network of other Government Departments, semi-state agencies, national and international marine partners.

The vision of the Marine Institute is; “a thriving maritime economy in harmony with the ecosystem and supported by the delivery of excellence in our services“. In order to achieve this vision, the MI have six service areas; (1) Ocean Science and Information Services, (2) Marine Environment & Food Safety Services, (3) Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services, (4) Irish Maritime Development Office, (5) Policy, Innovation and Research Services and (6) Corporate Services. The Board of the Institute is fully accountable to the Government and produces its own annual report which is laid before the Oireachtas.

The Institute has developed a significant international reputation for the provision of objective independent scientific advice and plays a significant leadership role in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), a global organization that develops science and advice to support the sustainable use of the oceans. It has also been successful in attracting significant international research funding which is independently awarded and assessed and its research work (and papers) is widely published internationally. The institute participates regularly in high profile international bodies including various committees related to implementation of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the law of the seas) and AORA the Atlantic Ocean research alliance. The Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action (AORA-CSA) is tasked with supporting the implementation of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean cooperation which was signed on 24 May 2013 during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and in which the institute played a leading role. This Statement establishes a formal Atlantic Ocean Research Cooperation between the European Union, its Member States, the United States of America and Canada and partner countries that builds on existing initiatives and programmes to increase coherence and coordination of ocean research cooperation.

The Institute seeks to assess and realise the economic potential of Ireland’s 220 million acre marine resource; promote the sustainable development of marine industry through strategic funding programmes and scientific services; and safeguard the marine environment through research and environmental monitoring. The MI 3 Year Strategic Plan (2015-2018) is available at; .