In 1995, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aid of 10.29m Euro was allocated to Ireland under the Marine Research Measure of the Operational Programme for Fisheries (1994 -1999). The specific objective of this aid was to:

1. Enhance the performance of the marine sector in Ireland through research and technology transfer activities.
   
   
2. Provide RTDI capacity for Ireland to explore and exploit its natural marine resources.
   
   
3. Upgrade Ireland's marine research and technology capacity commensurate with the scale of the
   marine resource and bring it more into line with international standards.
   
   

This Directory provides a summary of the achievements of this ERDF investment in Irish marine science and technology. The range and diversity of the collaborative research projects undertaken and the tangible benefits deriving from them is impressive. So too is the significant upgrading of national marine R&D infrastructure, as exemplified by the construction of a new 31m multipurpose research vessel "Celtic Voyager", the upgrading of existing facilities at Abbotstown (Co. Dublin) and Newport (Co. Mayo) and the establishment of a new Marine Technology Base in Galway.

I congratulate the Marine Institute on its management and implementation of the Marine Research Measure and for the production of this impressive Directory. I am very pleased that the support of the European Regional Development Fund has had such a positive impact on the development of Ireland's marine research capacity. I feel confident that these achievements will strengthen the role of S&T (Science and Technology) in underpinning the sustainable development of Ireland's very considerable marine resources.

Esben Poulsen
head of unit
directorate general for regional policy
european commission