The Irish Marine Federation joined boating industry voices in Brussels today in an online meeting to give the EU a better understanding of the issues faced by the Irish marine industry and Irish sailing and boating alike in the wake of COVID-19.
The meeting came just days after the European Commission presented its long-awaited proposal for the EU recovery plan when an unprecedented €750 billion recovery fund was announced.
The 'very useful and constructive meeting' was held between Ambassador Maeve Collins, Ireland's Deputy Permanent Representative to the European Union, Attaché Dymphna Keogh (Maritime Affairs), Philip Easthill, Secretary General of the European Boating Industry and Paal Janson, Chairman of the Irish Marine Federation.
Paal Janson, Chairman of the Irish Marine Federation
Ambassador Collins was apprised of the scale of the marine leisure industry from a European perspective as well as the significance and reliance of the marine tourism sector by Irish coastal communities. A productive discussion from both an EU perspective and a more focused national level was had with examples raised and examined of practical issues faced by industry and public alike.
At the meeting Maritime Affairs Attaché Dymphna Keogh confirmed that she will pass on the relevant parts of the discussion to the Irish interdepartmental Marine Coordination Group to give a better understanding of the issues faced by Ireland's marine SMEs and sailors alike.
"This meeting was a great example of how, despite the current Covid19 pandemic, these connections can still be made and maintaine" Janson told Afloat.
"The message of the Irish Marine Federation together with our colleagues in the European Boating Industry was brought to the attention of policy makers and public representatives", he added.
