Killeen Announces Inter-Departmental Marine Coordinating Group

5th May 2009

Mr Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for forestry, fisheries and the marine, has announced the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Marine Coordinating Group. The new group’s remit is to pursue progress on safeguarding employment protection and employment generation potential, transposition and implementation of EU Directives, safety and surveillance, legislation issues, protection of the marine environment, and developing indigenous resources and harbours.

Commenting on the new group, Minister of State Killeen said, “I am very pleased to have been asked by the Taoiseach to drive forward increased coordination among Government Departments in relation to marine-related matters, particularly in the current economic climate. I am anxious that all relevant Departments cooperate as effectively and efficiently as possible in this very important area.”

Minister of State Killeen stressed the importance of the Group’s role in coordinating work on key issues and bringing about effective progress on them.

The Inter-Departmental Marine Coordinating Group compromises representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Defence; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Transport; Arts, Sport and Tourism; and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and is initially being chaired by a representative of the Department of the Taoiseach. The Marine Institute, given its expertise and knowledge in the area, supports the Group.

Afloat correspondent Tom MacSweeney interviewed Tony Killen on his RTE Seascapes show last Friday. Click here to listen to the interview.

Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

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