Call for Cork to be developed into a Maritime Cluster
There is growing support for Cork to be developed into a Maritime Cluster.
It would allow the city to become a hub for marine innovation, Research & Development, biotech, offshore engineering, and transport.
Sinn Féin's Ireland South MEP Liadh Ní Riada backed the idea at a recent summit in Galway - she says the idea does not have to stop with Cork.
"I think it's a great idea, I would hugely support it - not just being Corkonian obviously - and I suggested at the conference that this should be not just about Cork," said Ms Ní Riada.
This should be about developing the harbours in Waterford and Rosslare as well, it should be a joined approach because they are very deep harbours.
"You're creating a whole load of new jobs as well obviously with the development of the ports.
"But it's also to mitigate the impact of Brexit because currently, we rely on using the UK as a land bridge so getting goods and services to Europe with Brexit looming is going to be far more problematic because you're going to see customs checks, you're going to see all of that and the bureaucracy that comes with that is going to be problematic for hauliers, for travel, for services, for all of that.
"So it makes sense."
