FIANNA FAIL has proposed a significant upgrading of the Department of the Marine if returned to power after the next general election.
A coastal zone management authority will also be established as part of a 10 year plan to realise the potential of the Irish seaboard, the party spokesman on marine and defence, Mr Michael Smith, has pledged.
Speaking at the publication of his party's policy document on the subject in Ballycunnicar, Co Wexford, yesterday, Mr Smith said that the coastal authority would work closely with existing marine and environment agencies, and with local authority planning departments.
The party proposes to boost resources allocated to the Department, which has suffered from a lack of funding and staff shortages since it was set up 10 years ago.
The proposed coastal zone authority would be responsible to the Department of the Marine, but would allow that Department to concentrate on its major functions, he said.
Its remit would be to formulate and promote integrated coastal management strategies; investigate the physical and biological processes in coastal areas, including the impact of change; develop expertise in integrated resource management by education and, where necessary, training and evaluate physical and biological resources.
