Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is good to have the Minister in the Chamber for this really important debate. I know we met recently to discuss this particular issue, particularly the impending announcement of the phase 2 policy for offshore wind. I am very optimistic about it and I think there are lots of opportunities. However, as somebody living in Mayo I want to put on the record that I want to see an advancement in terms of planning and preparation for floating offshore wind off the west coast of Ireland, including Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and of course Galway.

What I want to ask the Minister and put on the record is when we will get clarity and an announcement around the phase 2 policy. What will be included in that? I understand there will be a staged approach in terms of that maritime area consent and the application that will be permitted. Am I correct in saying that part A will be focusing on the Irish Sea and fixed bottom, and maybe down to the south, and part B will include floating offshore wind? Will the Minister put on the record of the House exactly what part of the country will be covered? My understanding is that it goes up to the south coast of Mayo. Can we get some clarity on that?

I also want to ask about phase 3 which is more long-term planning. When do we expect to move towards phase 3? It is very important that when it comes to a regional approach to offshore wind we do not disincentivise or tell investors or developers looking to invest in offshore wind projects that the west or north west of Ireland is closed for business for another number of years. We want developers and investors to look at the west coast of Ireland. We want them to see a future there and obviously it is the windiest part of the country. It is where the most opportunities are and, yes, the technology probably has to be a little more advanced. However, we know that planning and preparing for these projects needs to start now because it is a long-term project that we want to plan for.

With that in mind will the Minister outline to the House what the plans are for investment in Shannon Foynes, as that is where we will be landing a lot of the electricity? What are the plans for Galway, because there is also a port there we can use? How do we envisage encouraging investors to invest in the west and the north west?

One of the concerns I raised directly with the Minister, and is something both he and the Department are mindful of, is that we would have a staged approach in terms of phase 2 and that the west of Ireland and the north-west coast would be at a much later stage. What are the implications of that in terms of messaging? What are we saying to developers and investors if we do not allow them to look in that space now and put that off? Finally, like my colleague, Senator McGreehan, I want to ask about MARA and the resourcing of it. It has a big task ahead of it. We have very ambitious emissions reduction targets. We have to have equally ambitious offshore floating wind projects as well. Will MARA be adequately resourced to deal with what is being asked of it.