The South East Technological University (SETU) has become the first Irish higher education body to sign a co-operation agreement with the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). MARA, which was established in 2023 under the Maritime Area Planning Acts 2021, plays a central role in the regulation of Ireland’s maritime area by assessing and granting maritime area consents and maritime usage licenses. L-R Dr Dave Dempsey, Chair of the South East Offshore Wind Partnership; Mark Mellett, Vice Admiral DSM (Rtd), MARA board chair; Capt Phil Murphy, SETU Project Manager Offshore Wind; Laura Brien, MARA chief executive; Pro. “SETU is the first higher education institution to sign such an agreement with MARA, and I look forward to our collaborative work together as we strengthen Ireland’s maritime sector,” she said. Both organisations are committed to reviewing the partnership on a continual basis to ensure emerging needs are met, the university says.