A raft of ideas to capitalise on the ‘blue economy’

As a Harbour resident and a boating enthusiast, the Marine Minister Simon Coveney is well-placed to oversee the progress in plans being made for his maritime backdoor, he tells Tommy Barker

ON a single square kilometre of Cork, €150m to €200m will be expended over the next five years, as its harbour is poised for one of its biggest investments in 100 years, says Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

Facilities are being put in place for thousands of private sector marine, research and energy-related jobs and tourism attractions. The critical mass of investment will include the cleaning up of an embarrassing blot on the landscape on Haulbowline Island, at a cost of €40m, in the midst of one of the world’s largest natural harbours.