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The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan
Smith TD and the Minister of State with Special Responsibility
for Fisheries, Tony Killeen TD, visited the Marine Institute
in Oranmore, Co Galway to meet the Chairman of the Institute,
Mr Jim Fennell, Chief Executive, Dr Peter Heffernan and other
staff members of the Institute.
During the visit, Dr Heffernan made a presentation to the
Ministers, which covered the Institute's roles and facilities
as well as the impacts and benefits provided to the industry.
The Ministers also had the opportunity to discuss particular
aspects of the Institute's services - particularly in the
areas of fisheries science, marine environment and food safety,
ocean science and corporate services.
The Ministers were briefed on the Marine Institute's action-packed
2010 programme of scientific services and surveys - including
fisheries, aquaculture, oceanography, marine environment and
food safety services that are essential to the sustainability
and competitiveness of the Irish Seafood Industry.
They were further briefed on the strong progress being achieved
by the NDP funded Sea Change National Research funding
programme operated by the Marine Institute in areas as diverse
as Marine functional foods, water sensor technology, socio-economics,
biodiscovery and biotechnology - all of which offer significant
new economic activities for Ireland.
"The Irish marine research sector has been extremely successful
in winning funding against stiff competition in Europe," said
Minister Smith. "This funding is not only creating new jobs
and supporting existing positions in research and industry,
but also building new industries for the future."
Minister Smith described the visit as "an ideal opportunity
to review the activities of the Institute, which provides
such a vital role in marine research and development, as well
as providing expert advice to Ministers and the Department
on policy relating to marine research and development."
The Minister complemented the Institute and its staff on
the breadth and quality of their work, adding - "the research
undertaken and advice provided was very valuable and greatly
appreciated both by the industry and the Government."
Minister Killeen highlighted the Institute's role as the
implementing agency for Sea
Change - A Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy
for Ireland 2007-2013.
The Minister said - "The Marine Institute has earned a high
reputation and considerable international esteem both for
itself and for Ireland, through its significant contributions
to debates on EU and international marine science, its core
scientific programmes and strategic planning initiatives."
Minister Killeen added - "the Institute is central to the
progress made in developing national marine research programmes
and infrastructure and on the Irish National Seabed Survey
to map our 220-million-acre marine resource and improved dialogue
between scientists and fishermen to explore ways of ensuring
that marine research contributes fully to creating a sustainable
fishing industry."
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