Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire freisin agus tá mé an-sásta ráiteas a dhéanamh ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo faoi choinne gaoithe.  Táimid ag féachaint ach go háirithe ar Bhaile Átha Cliath agus ar Chuan Bhaile Átha Cliath agus na rudaí atá ar siúl ansin.  Tá mé an-sásta ar fad gur féidir liom ráiteas a dhéanamh ar na rudaí sin.

I want to talk particularly about projects planned in the wind energy space for Dublin Bay. The projects for the Kish Bank and the Codling Bank are operated, respectively, by Dublin Array and Ocean Winds. There is so much room for development in this space. As we go through that, I am aware that a lot of people locally are concerned about the effects those projects are going to have on their views, on the biodiversity of the area and on the ecosystem etc.

The issue that I particularly wanted to raise with the Minister today was a way to reassure people that they do not need to worry about that. I know there are people living in Dalkey and Killiney whose views will be interrupted, but I think they can accept that there is a sacrifice to be made there for a very good reason. More importantly, there are concerns about the ecosystem and one hears reports of wind turbines having an effect on bird life. Furthermore, in the case of Ocean Winds and Dublin Array, they will be attached to the sea floor, and where they meet the sea floor there are potential problems with biodiversity and the effect on marine life. I understand those problems can be addressed, but I think there is a role, particularly for the Minister's Department, in making sure that local people understand that they do not need to worry about those problems, and also that they know how they are going to be addressed.

The technology involved is staggering to my mind. I have looked at this and the fact that one can put a wind turbine in up to 60 m of water in a heavy tidal area like the Irish Sea is, in and of itself, amazing. However, what we can generate from these wind turbines and the benefits for local communities, the economy and our overall energy consumption are enormous.

To a large extent, the Minister's Department is leaving that space open for the companies operating these projects. The role of informing people what is happening has largely fallen to those companies. I think there is a gap there from the perspective of the State and the Government. I know these companies have met with local councillors in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and other local authorities. I know that they have run public information sessions and that is fine. However, they are not disinterested parties and they obviously have an interest in this going ahead. I also know from speaking people locally that they do not always have faith in what those companies are saying to them. I am concerned that a gap is being left there in terms of honest and reliable answers being given. I think that there is a role for public consultation not just in Dublin Bay, but in respect of each project around the country to inform people of what is happening and what the issues are. That will allow people to have confidence in the projects as they go forward. I hope the Department will take concrete steps to reassure people that these projects are worthwhile, important and beneficial to everyone involved.