Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. I was in the Seanad. There was no disrespect intended but I could not be in two places at the one time.

I thank all the witnesses for the briefings that were provided. This is a really important Bill. It is an important commitment from the Government's perspective because the Government committed to enact the marine planning and development management Bill within its first nine months. I am happy to support the Department's work in this regard.

It is very important for the country. We have big targets for renewable electricity, specifically to try to achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030. As it is an enormous item of legislation for a lay person to work his or her way around, I thank the witnesses and everyone who has contributed to help us with our task. The explanation provided earlier about commencing on the east coast was very helpful. There does seem to be a very logical progression there. It is welcome and I am happy to support that.

Earlier, an energy security assessment or review was mentioned specifically on a question about future uses for this legislation or the legislation permitting future maritime activity such as that associated with LNG or other activities. When is that assessment or report due to be delivered?

I take the point about fisheries being a matter that is both under European competence and for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Should the committee request a statement from the aforementioned Minister on the proposed legislation? I appreciate the officials' saying that it is another Department and it is welcome that they have described the stakeholder forums which they are looking to establish. However, for the purpose of this committee progressing this work, it would be useful to receive guidance from the Minister.

The idea of community gain is really important. There will be broad community gain for all of us if we can achieve our renewable energy targets and if we can move away from our reliance on fossil fuels. With each application that will be made under this legislation there will be both environmental and economic benefits. It may be a case of how long is a piece of string but has any assessment been attempted to quantify the potential in this regard? What mechanism can be employed to try to secure a firm commitment that each commercially profitable application approved will deliver specific community gain in a localised manner? That should not be the dominant issue but it would be an important precedent for us to try and achieve if it is possible.