Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their submissions, which I have read and which will help us in our work. Mr. Brian Britton was in contact with me on numerous occasions and I wish to recognise him today. I met with him just before Christmas and I am deeply saddened at his passing. He is a loss to his family and friends but he is also a significant loss to this industry. He was a pioneer, particularly of offshore wind energy.

Mr. Carroll spoke about wind and solar. He seems to think there are some 3,000 job opportunities in the solar sector but I think it might be more and could have a greater impact. Many people talk about offshore wind in the Irish Sea but offshore in the Atlantic Sea is where the real resource is. What is the timescale for harnessing offshore wind in the Atlantic Sea? Some pilot projects have been done but certain groups believe there is a need for greater Government initiatives and to be more attractive to investment.