In December 2013, the Development Task Force was set up by the Minister and the MCG with participants across a range of organisations, encompassing public, private and the NGO sectors. The DTF was tasked with addressing four specific actions, namely: 

• Integrated Enterprise Strategy - Develop an integrated enterprise strategy to generate momentum in specific emerging market opportunities (Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth Action #1)
• Business Development, Marketing & Promotion - Give a clear message to investors that Ireland is ‘open for, and a good place to do, marine business’ domestically and internationally (Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth Action #17)
• Research, Knowledge, Technology & Innovation - Support existing and new test-beds/facilities for demonstration and commercialization purposes – (Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth Action #25)
• International Education & Training - Establish Ireland as an international marine training destination, maximising the capacity and potential of existing marine training facilities/programmes. (Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth Action #28)

The purpose of this report is to galvanise and effectively mobilise a range of State supports, enabling investment required to reach the economic goal of a Thriving Maritime Economy, and associated targets set out in Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth.

These ambitious targets require a very fundamental shift in Ireland’s efforts if they are to be achieved. Drawing on the rich experience of the members of the DTF, and the research and consultations undertaken by it, a set of robust recommendations have emerged. The recommendations should not be considered individually, but are best viewed as an integrated package.

The DTF’s work and the report’s outputs were informed by the following perspectives: 

• That business as usual is not an option. Past performance will not deliver the targets;
• That the current level of private sector investment in Ireland’s ocean economy – both domestic and international – is well short of what is required to deliver the economic goal;
• That creating the necessary investment environment needs priming investment and strong actions by Government and the State to demonstrate visibility on the commitment to the sector;
• That historically, Ireland has underperformed in the area of environmentally sustainable practices and legislation;
• That internationally, Ireland’s value proposition to investors is not competitive and needs significant strengthening;
• The complexity of the sector need not be an impediment to its development. To address these complexities a strategic framework, supported by a clear implementation plan for success, is required;
• Implementation requires a coordinated set of interventions supported with a commitment of the human and capital resources necessary; and
• That Ireland needs to create more marine success stories by supporting demonstrator projects, to provide the platform for Ireland to demonstrate its strategic intent for the sector.