Date: 12 October 2015

Subject: Enterprise and Business Committee visit to Dublin – Potential of the Maritime Economy in Wales.

Dear Edwina

On 1 October, the Enterprise and Business Committee visited Dublin for a series of meetings as part of our inquiry in to the Potential of the Maritime Economy in Wales.

During our discussions we were struck by the willingness of Irish Ministers Paschal Donohoe (Transport, Tourism and Sport) and Simon Coveney (Agriculture and Defence) to engage with Wales on matters relating to the Blue Economy. In particular, Minister Donohoe was enthusiastic about opening a dialogue around the possibility of making a joint bid to the EU’s Motorways of the Sea initiative, which could aid the removal of transport barriers around ports at either side of the Irish Sea. The chief Executive of the Port of Dublin, Eamonn O’Reilly, also appeared keen to engage on this point.

Pursuing this kind of cooperation is something the committee is likely to recommend in its report when we publish later this year. However, given the relatively narrow window of opportunity prior to elections both here and in Ireland, I wanted to write to you now to ensure that you and your cabinet colleagues were aware of the positive reception we received, and the opportunities that we believe could exist for fruitful cooperation.

If we can be of assistance in passing on contact details, the clerking team will be happy to pass these on to your officials.

Kind regards,

William Graham

Chair, Enterprise and Business Committee

Croesewir gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg.

We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English.