Óráid
Tánaiste's address at the 20th anniversary event for the National Maritime College
Le: Aire Cosanta; Micheál Martin
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Le: Aire Cosanta; Micheál Martin
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Check against delivery
Mayors Boyle and Carroll, Minister O’Donovan, President of MTU, Professor Cusack, members of the Oireachtas, local public representatives, Secretary General; Chief of Staff; Flag Officer, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a great honour for me to be here today to mark the 20th anniversary of the National Maritime College of Ireland.
I have always had a particular affinity with this institution given that, as Minister for Education at the time, I was involved in sanctioning the process that led to the establishment of the National Maritime College of Ireland.
With €65 million in capital spend, it was a major investment in maritime education at that time and I’m pleased to see that it’s gone from strength to strength over that twenty years.
Today, I am delighted to be in a position to confirm the joint funding by my department and Minister O’Donovan’s Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, to facilitate the upgrading of the Kongsberg simulator suite for the NMCI that will see an additional multi-million euro invested in the college over the coming years.
Simulation-based training has been transformed over the past decades, with advances in technology, including virtual and augmented reality, meaning this type of training is becoming far closer to reality than could have been conceived when the College opened.
This facility is and will continue to be a key enabler for the delivery of maritime education and training at the college, allowing students to experience real-life situations in a controlled, safe, and dynamic environment.
This multi million-euro investment in state-of-the-art technology will allow for the development of the Naval Service capabilities necessary to operate the future fleet.
Our commitment to ensuring that the Naval Service has the capability to perform its full range of responsibilities is reflected in the recent commissioning of the two new inland patrol vessels – the LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait.
These ships illustrate the government's ongoing commitment to the modernisation of our Defence Forces, by investing in improved equipment, infrastructure, facilities and people.
The Defence Forces are not confined to the State or our territorial waters only, there has been and will continue to be requirements for missions abroad. This equipment will enhance the Naval Service’s ability to train in advance for these types of missions, so thinking back to my teaching days, the better the training provided the better the outcomes when it comes to implementing them in real life, often in potentially dangerous circumstances for our Defence Forces.
This government has committed to very significant funding increases for the Naval Service and wider Defence Forces.
Earlier this week, the government confirmed a record allocation of €1.35 billion in defence spending in Budget 2025, an increase of €100 million in the allocation compared with 2024, with the Defence Vote rising above €1 billion for the first time in history.
This funding will facilitate ongoing investment in our defence capabilities to significantly progress a number of vitally important defence projects, including in the areas of military radar and subsea awareness, along with allowing crucial progress in the transformation of the Defence Forces.
The aim to increase the fleet to nine vessels by early in the next decade along with double crewing of vessels requires high quality training for many more personnel.
This investment in cutting edge simulator training facilities will support increased Naval Service training demands, and it also further demonstrates my department’s commitment to the continuance of the partnership with the National Maritime College.
It has been this groundbreaking public-private partnership between Munster Technological University, the Irish Naval Service and Focus Education, that has paved the way and served as a blueprint for a number of other partnerships in the intervening years, demonstrating how great success can be achieved when organisations across the public and private sectors share a values-driven mission toward excellence.
Twenty years ago, we launched a new vision; and that vision would go on to transform maritime education and training in Ireland.
Today, we celebrate not just the passage of time, but the achievements that define this facility. The college alumni, who are now ships’ captains, engineers, marine researchers and leaders, are a source of immense pride. Their success stories inspire the current students and inspire the next generation of maritime leaders.
We also celebrate and congratulate the faculty and staff, whose dedication and expertise have been and will continue to be the cornerstone of this institution’s success.
The world is facing an increasingly challenging and contested security environment. We are experiencing a period of profound change for Ireland’s security environment and indeed the global security environment. It’s why I established Ireland’s first ever national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy.
There is also, therefore, a need for Defence Policy to adapt and respond to these changes.
I recently published the Defence Policy Review 2024, which is a strategic step to safeguard Ireland’s security in a changing world, ensuring that the country remains prepared and resilient against future threats.
Maritime security represents a priority action area for the government. A key element of the Defence Policy Review is, therefore, a renewed focus on maritime security.
The importance of maritime security and the increased risk has been reflected in my announcement of the development by Government of a National Maritime Security Strategy (NMSS), with the necessary resourcing, accompanying legislation and decision-making systems in place.
The Department of Defence will now lead on the development of the National Maritime Security Strategy.
As a country, we continue to invest in the equipment and skills necessary for our national defence against emerging threats.
Ireland has a responsibility, through our Defence policy, to invest in the defence of the state, to protect our citizens, our values and our sovereign interests and to continue to contribute to international peace and security.
We are fortunate that the NMCI has been, and continues to be, a critical asset in maintaining our Defence Forces’ readiness and operational effectiveness. To date, some 13,500 Naval Service personnel have attended the college, developing their skills and gaining invaluable qualifications.
As we work to expand and modernise the Naval Service, NMCI’s role in providing advanced education, research, and training will become even more crucial. Our collaboration will be central to achieving the enhanced capabilities and readiness that this government has committed to for the future of the Naval Service.
I'm pleased to have representatives from the Canadian Embassy join us today. The Royal Canadian Navy, our Department of Defence, and the Naval Service have a mutually beneficial memorandum of understanding for personnel exchanges.
This agreement underscores the value of sharing knowledge, experience, and expertise between our navies, strengthening our partnership and enhancing our collective capabilities.
As we celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the NMCI, it is important to acknowledge the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The maritime industry is facing unprecedented changes, driven by factors such as globalisation, technological advancements and environmental concerns.
Another of this government’s key priorities is the development and integration of offshore renewable energy projects. As the world grapples with the climate crisis, the maritime sector plays a crucial role in the exploration, installation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms and other marine-based energy solutions. This sector is indispensable for the exploration, installation, and ongoing maintenance of offshore wind farms and other marine-based energy sources, contributing significantly to the global effort to transition to green energy.
I know that the National Maritime College of Ireland will remain the driving force in preparing the next generation of maritime experts.
The National Maritime College of Ireland together with the Naval Service, has played a pivotal role in the protection of maritime interests.
Through your comprehensive training programs, you have empowered your students with the skills and knowledge essential to safeguarding our maritime borders, ensuring the safety of maritime navigation, and protecting our valuable marine resources. Your graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges and responsibilities of protecting Ireland's maritime interests.
Moreover, and as some might say, most importantly, NMCI has been a catalyst for economic development in Cork and the surrounding region. Your presence has not only attracted substantial investment but has also created numerous jobs and fostered a thriving maritime ecosystem.
In closing, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey.
As we celebrate this 20th anniversary, let us look forward to the future with confidence and excitement.
Together, we will continue to chart a course towards excellence and make a lasting impact on the maritime industry.
Thank you.