Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Coastal Concern Alliance delegation and thank them for their comprehensive document. They could probably have provided us with more information but the way they outlined it has made it simple for us to understand. It is helpful as we consider all the information before us.

I acknowledge the concerns raised about the management of coastal zones, the policies involved and the planning process. Ireland not only comprises the land mass but also the surrounding maritime areas. As elected representatives, we face conflicting challenges in developing national policy. As regards climate change, many NGOs are putting pressure on politicians to set targets to reduce carbon emissions in energy production. There will be consequences if we do not address that matter.

Coastal Concern Alliance is concerned about the targets that have been set for Ireland. Perhaps the witnesses can expand further on that point. Why do they believe our targets should not be as ambitious as they are, which is to have renewable energy at 40% by 2020?

We need to reduce our carbon footprint and face climate change challenges, yet on the other hand our generating stations are over-dependent on fossil fuels. Our island is on the periphery of the main Euro zone, which means we are exposed from an energy security viewpoint. We must develop alternative energy sources, including wind energy. I am not saying that such project developments should be uncontrolled, far from it. Coastal Concern Alliance's feedback is welcome. The witnesses said we should have maritime spatial planning as well as a transparent system whereby applications are thoroughly assessed.

There is a debate currently about wind farms in the midlands where there is severe opposition to them. There is also strong opposition to EirGrid's network proposals and offshore wind farms. It is difficult to find a system that is acceptable to the public because no matter what is proposed, everything is objected to. Coastal Concern Alliance is a responsible body with genuine concerns and is not just objecting for the sake of it. We need to hear from such groups why offshore wind farms are not acceptable. A buffer zone of 12 nautical miles was mentioned, so I presume the alliance would have no objection if it was beyond that, providing that the proper assessments, including feasibility and cost benefit analyses, are made.

I have listened carefully to what the Coastal Concern Alliance's representatives said. We face challenges and are currently importing 800 MW of power, at peak, per day from the United Kingdom. If there was another oil or gas crisis, I do not know how our economy would survive. Decisions will have to be made regarding energy security and how best we can survive as an economy while reducing carbon emissions at the same time. It is a challenge for us all. Perhaps the witnesses could elaborate on how they think targets reductions should be set.