The Taoiseach has said that the new €50 million Marine Institute headquarters in Galway is a "shining example" of decentralisation through a "strong partnership framework".
Speaking at the opening of the building in Oranmore, Co Galway, yesterday, Mr Ahern acknowledged that the institute's move from Dublin pre-dated the Government's decentralisation programme.
"But it shows that this can be successfully done, it can't be done in isolation and it has to be done in partnership - which is what I believe in for everything."
It also proved that "you can give the best facilities and bring it in under budget and allow these people get on with doing their job in a very professional way".
The marine sector was "massively important" to the future Irish economy, Mr Ahern said, and the institute was "ideally positioned" to make a "significant contribution to the national research effort".
The forthcoming Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation 2006-13, along with the new national marine research and innovation strategy, would "form an important component of the overall Government plan on research and innovation to support the development of a knowledge-based economy", he added.
The Taoiseach toured the 11,000 sq m building along with Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey. Also present were Minister for the Gaeltacht Eamon Ó Cuív and Junior Ministers Frank Fahey and Noel Treacy.
The headquarters were designed by an award-winning Office of Public Works team of architects to accommodate almost 200 staff, but the State body will also retain a Dublin base.
The building incorporates 54 scientific laboratories, an elliptical office suite and a 150-seat auditorium.
Ireland is "now poised to unlock the potential of our 220-million acre marine resource," Dr Peter Heffernan, the institute's chief executive, said yesterday.
Micheál Ó Cinnéide of the institute paid tribute at the function to late maritime historian Dr John de Courcy Ireland, who, he said, had made an enormous contribution and would have loved to have witnessed the event.
The new marine knowledge, research and innovation strategy is due to be announced shortly as part of the Government's national science plan. The focus is on increasing the economic return from the marine sector from an annual €3 billion to €4.5 billion within a decade.
Mr Ahern also made reference to development of a new seafood strategy by the autumn - a move initiated in the wake of the bitter row over the recent Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill.
The institute is hosting a free "pirate party" and family fun day from 11am to 5pm tomorrow in the new building to mark World Ocean Day.
