Like it or not, politics are a key when it comes to improving things for the community.
The challenge is the relationships between the community and the institutions of political power.
Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.
So, with what appears to be a new approach to the fishing industry – and the marine – by the newly-formed Coalition Government, what will the future result be?
There has been a general welcome to the appointment of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, 46-year-old South Kildare Fine Gael T.D., Martin Heydon, who was first elected to the Dáil in 2011 and a particularly strong response from the fishing industry to the appointment of Clare T.D. Timmy Dooley as Minister of State in both the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
That does raise observation about the way government has divided the marine sphere into two Departments. At Agriculture, Food and the Marine Timmy Dooley has been given responsibility for Fisheries. At the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications he has been given responsibility for Marine. He will be expected to make a strong impact in both Departments.
It does say something about the political approach by the government of an island nation, dependent on the maritime sector for its exports and imports and with the richest fishing grounds in Europe to which its fishing fleet has minimal access, decided by the overarching European Union.
Digital Mapping for marine resources is also an area of Timmy Dooley’s Ministerial responsibilities.
Issues that immediately face Minister of State Dooley include the sustainability of the fishing fleet, sustainability of fish stocks, revising the EU Common Fisheries Policy which has caused huge damage to the Irish fishing fleet and a national framework agreement and compensation for the seafood industry for potential negative impacts from the development of windfarms in the government’s offshore renewable energy strategy.
The Seafood Ireland Alliance(Irish Fish Producers Organisation; Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation; Irish South & West Fish Producers; Irish South & East FPO and the Irish Fish Processors & Exporters Association) lobbied hard for at least a Junior Minister for Fisheries, so it has expressed delight at the appointment of Minster Dooley.
On his appointment, Minister of State Dooley said: “I’m deeply honoured to take on this challenging role and I promise to work night and day to do the job.”
In the general marine industry, the commercial ports have been looking for a clear strategy for the future and the impact of marine protected areas on leisure activities is at yet unknown. Ports and the Coast Guard have been in the Department of Transport. Marine leisure had a place under the Tourism. Will there be changes of Departmental responsibilities under the new Ministerial arrangements?
There are likely to be meetings and discussions on marine issues with many and varied groups, including non-governmental environment organisations whose demands are, on a number of maritime issues, in contrast with some marine groups.
The appointment of two Ministers with marine responsibilities delivers on pre-General Election promises by the Coalition Government parties.
Further delivery on those promises by action is awaited.
