Sir, - "An Irishman's Diary" (June 26th) regarding Ireland's lack of a sea-faring tradition summed up the previous day's revelation in The Irish Times that Ireland possesses the largest sea area in Europe and yet, embarrassingly, has Europe's worst level of maritime investment for a coastal nation. Although it lies strategically and lucratively on the edge of Europe, Ireland has indeed in many ways "missed the boat". Ireland could have a maritime industry matching Norway's, but instead has chosen the familiar path of letting other nations take the initiative. For instance, lack of Irish maritime investment now shows clearly in the rusty and unkempt state of Ireland's fishing vessels when compared to Norwegian or Spanish vessels.
Having an Atlantic coastline is not a prerequisite for a vibrant maritime industry. With no medieval sea-faring tradition, Finland today supplies some of the world's finest cruise ships and ice-breakers. The Stena HSS Fast Ferry which docks in Dun Laoghaire every day is one such example of Finnish shipbuilding expertise. No small feat for a small nation of 5 million with no great sea-faring tradition. Why can't Ireland show the same maritime initiative? - Yours, etc.
Niall O'Donoghue,
40740 Jyvaskyla,
Finland.