Ms Helen Gelletlie:

There were no restrictions on them. They could select sites in the near shore zone on a first come first served basis, with no public tender or restriction. In two instances, they simply applied to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a foreshore lease for construction and they were granted. Permission in respect of construction of 200 turbines on the Codling Bank and Arklow Bank was granted on the sole authority of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. We are not against wind farms. Appropriately sited, we would be in favour of them.