The Coalition is to restore the Marine portfolio to the Cabinet and the list of government departments. The move follows a week of protests and lobbying from the marine industry since Taoiseach Bertie Ahern abolished the Department and included the portfolio in the Department of Communications and Natural Resources.
Minister Dermot Ahern told RTÉ that the Taoiseach had accepted his view that, in the light of the strong reaction, the title of his Department should formally include the Marine portfolio.
The decision to close the Department of the Marine shocked the marine industry, but there was even more anger and criticism when even the name of Marine was removed from any government department.
The Taoiseach said that he had decided to include the portfolio within the Department of Communications and Natural Resources, but the word Marine would make the name too long. After a week of lobbying, protests and criticism from the marine sector, that decision is to be changed and the name will become the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Minister Dermot Ahern said that he acknowledged the strong level of protest and the importance of the marine sector and had discussed the matter with the Taoiseach and he was confident the change would be made at the next Cabinet meeting.
The Taoiseach has also promised a senior Minister of State with responsibility for marine matters. The restoration of Marine to the name of the Department has been welcomed.
Minister Ahern said that the structures of what had been the Department of Marine were being maintained and he believed the marine sector would have a stronger level of representation and focus in the future.
