Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the delegates on the tremendously exciting discovery at the Goban Spur. I am trying to figure out how oysters can survive and spawn in these water temperatures and at such depths. It seems to go against much of what fishermen know. Will the delegates elaborate on the discovery and its potential? With the shelf wall around the Porcupine Bank and further south down to the Shamrock Canyon in mind, are there further potential discoveries to be made on cliff faces, at depths of water and so on?

I assume the Marine Institute is involved in determining whether wave or tidal energy can be part of the energy generation industry. I am aware of what is happening with wave energy projects, but how advanced is the tidal aspect and have specific locations been targeted in that regard? What is the delegates' assessment of the potential in this regard?