Defence Forces Review 2010

Abstracts – 65 Senior Command and Staff CourseIs the Naval Service an Under Utilised Resource in theImplementation of Irish Maritime Policy?Lt Cdr Terence WardABSTRACTA serious marine emergency off the south-east coast involving the sinking of two fishingvessels in January 2007 brought into focus the multi-agency approach to Irish maritime affairsand also the key role played by the Naval Service in the recovery operation. It demonstrateda possible inefficiency in Irish maritime governance and questioned if the Naval Service wasfully utilised in its implementation.Ireland has historically been an agricultural society and even though Ireland is an island,Government policy is still very land orientated. The dissolution of the Department of theMarine in 2007 and the dispersal of its portfolio to other departments are a symptom of thatpolicy and an indication of where maritime affairs sit within Government priorities.This research has determined that Irish maritime policy is not clearly articulated and nonational interests within the maritime domain have been identified. This has led to a fragmentedapproach to maritime governance and issues with cross-cutting and agentification have arisen.Irish maritime policy is based on legislation, which is developed as Governments react tovarious stimuli, for example, a large drug seizure or an incident like the one outlined above.The Naval Service contends that while it cannot dictate policy as the service provider itreserves the right to provide advice on how it feels the direction policy should take. SeniorNaval Officers feel that restrictions placed in legislation regarding the powers of navalofficers are hindering the exercise of maritime law enforcement. According to the Departmentof Defence, these restrictions are there to ensure the primacy of the civil authorities in lawenforcement issues. This is where there is a difference of opinion. This thesis will offer apossible solution to this dilemma.The Naval Service is a very professional organisation with a desire and a will to provide thebest possible service to the people of Ireland. As to the thesis question, the answer depends onwhat that maritime policy is and this can only be determined by a Maritime White Paper thatclearly articulates Ireland’s national interests regarding the seas surrounding our island andhow we intent to protect and govern them.127