Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thank the MaREI representatives for their interesting contributions. I am keen to go back to the issue of carbon capture and storage. A spokesperson for Science Foundation Ireland, which funds the MaREI project, said recently at another committee meeting that we should not be too panicky about climate change. The view was that developments in science like carbon capture and storage will save us at the end of the day and that we are making great developments.

Dr. Glynn said that when he visited the US it was all about enhanced oil recovery. Do the MaREI representatives acknowledge that carbon capture and storage is not as developed as it sounds? It will not capture carbon from agriculture or transport, although it can do it from the production of fossil fuels. We should therefore be looking at afforestation, open bogs and other natural ways of carbon capture, rather than taking the view that science is going to save the planet.

Will the witnesses comment on investment in tidal and wave energy? Reference was made to some companies investing in research and development in these areas. Most people who look at Ireland would maintain we are the wealthiest country in tidal and wave energy if we could capture and exploit it. We are way ahead of anywhere else. Sweden tops the agenda in doing the best that it can do to tackle climate change. As we are on the Atlantic, we could be really wealthy in resources if we could capture those energy sources. Will the deputation comment on the amount of investment needed for the exploration of tidal and wave energy? Reference was made to how our policy on planning is an obstruction. I understand why it is an obstruction to wind energy and putting wind farms in place. As politicians we really need to address that. Can the deputation explain why the policy also is an obstruction to the development of tidal and wave energy technology?

We have 13 recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly. I imagine the MaREI representatives have seen them. If they were to pick three, which three would they pick?