Coastal conflicts such as that involving the Corrib gas project in north Mayo could be avoided if member states took a more “holistic” approach to major projects on European seaboards, according to EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs Joe Borg.

Governments have tended to look at situations in a “very compartmentalised way”, whereas a more integrated approach to maritime affairs, affording more time for consultation and participation, would allow for more straightforward implementation of decisions, he said.

(from a report by Lorna Siggins of The Irish Times [sub only])

The Commissioner’s call for a more “holistic” approach to European maritime affairs sums up the thesis of this website with regard to all public and government projects.