A National Marine Policy for Ireland?

24th February 2009

It is almost 12 months since the Irish Marine Federation called for the immediate introduction of a National Marine Policy for Ireland. To date, there has been almost no progress to report. The European Union has requested each coastal member state to implement a national marine policy but so far Ireland has failed to move on the issue.

The long-promised review of the Foreshore Act 1933 has still not taken
place, in spite of promises that full consultation would take place with all
the interested parties and stake holders.
The Marine Institute developed a high-level strategic plan to bring together
all stakeholders, county councils, semi-State agencies and Government
departments to develop a National Marine Policy. This plan has now lain
dormant for over two years for the lack of a lead agency/Government
department to take responsibility for the sector.
The current Tourism National Development Plan specifically bars marina
development from any State aids.

Published in Editors Blog

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven’t put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full–time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.