Ireland is only beginning to accept and recognise the full economic and social potential of its 900,000 sq. km marine resource. In 1995, the Marine Institute initiated a major consultative process with official, community and commercial interests to define the marine research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI) priorities which would underpin the future sustainable development of our extensive marine resources.

These RTDI priorities, and the strategies necessary to achieve them, were approved by Government and published as "A Marine Research, Technology, Development and Innovation Strategy for Ireland - A National Team Approach" (Marine Institute, 1998).

Concurrent with this consultative and planning process, significant EU R&D funding was provided under the Marine Research Measure of the Operational Programme for Fisheries (1994-1999). This funding allowed us to consolidate the marine infrastructural funding provided by the EU STRIDE Programme (1991-1994) and start to address the many emerging marine RTDI priorities.

This Directory is testament to the vigour and innovation of marine science in Ireland and provides a flavour of what it can and will contribute to sustainable economic, social and environmental development.

The new National Development Plan (2000-2006), for the first time fully recognises and appreciates the catalytic role of science and technology in economic development. The inclusion of a Marine RTDI Measure, with a budget of over 50M Euro, will provide the funding and incentive necessary to significantly expand the programmes required to tackle the marine RTDI priorities identified and this in turn will lead to a strengthening of the marine sectors contribution to the Irish economy.

We have a saying that "Ireland is 90% undiscovered, undeveloped and underwater". While this resource will remain underwater, strategic marine RTDI as demonstrated in this Directory, will help in the discovery and development of Ireland's marine territory.

Peter B. Heffernan, PhD
chief executive marine institute