Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Following on from what Deputy Whitmore and other speakers said, we hear a great deal about the potential of offshore wind. Everybody welcomes that to reach our climate targets but also as employment for rural coastal communities. What we hear less of is the potential for jobs in biodiversity, natural capital and research. I was particularly interested in Dr. Whelan's statement about the Newport facility in County Mayo. Do we need investment in that facility to ramp it up? Do we need other similar facilities in coastal areas to boost Ireland's reputation for marine research, as well as for job creation in natural capital? Responses from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications show that Ireland is way below the EU average when it comes to research and development funding. Are there issues we should push as legislators to steer this? As Professor Frankic said, the funding is there but people have to have the political will to put the plan in place and look for that funding. What should we be doing in that regard to create potential from our marine habitats, not just to protect the biodiversity but for those coastal communities?

Offshore wind farms are going ahead on the east coast. Is there a remit for some sort of independent inspection system for them in order that the operators will be compliant when they are being developed, while in operation and further down the line if they are ever dismantled? Do we need some sort of system to monitor their compliance with the applications to protect the marine environment?