John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee and giving their presentation. As has been described, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set the framework that will ultimately guide our policy over the coming decades in this critical area. It will be responsible for delivering our renewable energy into the future and meeting our very ambitious targets in this area. I welcome the comment on the Bill that more items can be added into the future. It is not just for wind, even though that is the way it is being understood. With regard to the five relevant projects that have been picked, could the witnesses give me an idea of how they were arrived at? I am more interested in future projects and the pipeline of projects that exist that will ultimately be able to use this legislation in the future. I am from Waterford and there is an extensive plan for offshore wind energy between Helvick and Dunmmore East.

That plan is in process but where does it fit in with the next stage of this process and the timelines around that, which will be reflected in how long it takes us to get this legislation through the Houses? I would appreciate an outline of those projects and future projects.