Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Flanagan, Senator Wall and Deputy Paul Donnelly, for whom Deputy Conway-Walsh is substituting.

I remind members participating remotely that they must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. I am pleased today to continue our discussion of the priority item on the committee's work programme, which is our continued consideration of the proposed national action plan on the development for the islands from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The committee welcomes the opportunity to discuss sustainable energy on our offshore islands. The 2021 climate action plan sets out a roadmap to ensure up to 80% of our electricity will come from renewable sources by 2030. When I was Minister with responsibility for energy, I insisted that Ireland, along with the European Commission and 13 other member states, sign up to the clean energy for EU islands initiative, not only to provide a reliable and sustainable electricity supply to our offshore islands but also, if managed properly, to ensure it could provide seed capital for a new wave of community enterprise, making our islands not only environmentally sustainable but also economically sustainable.

As members will know, the establishment of an offshore renewable development authority to drive the sector forward in a strategic manner was approved by Dáil Éireann through a motion that I tabled last December.

The objective of this is to establish an offshore renewable development authority, similar to the Industrial Development Agency Ireland model, that will drive a fully co-ordinated national action plan and will have responsibilities ranging from research and development and supply chain development to the commercial deployment of renewable energy and ensure that Ireland that, as a whole, becomes the leading global clean energy exporter.

With the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising inflation driven by spiralling energy costs, we are now witnessing how important it is to strategically develop Ireland's offshore energy capacity, not only to drive down the cost of electricity in the longer term and to create jobs in the renewable energy sector, but to supply clean, green energy to the EU as a whole.

In this regard, I welcome Mr. Philip Newsome, Mr. John Finnegan and Mr. Rory Somers from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; and Mr. Dara Ó Maoildhia and Ms Avril Ní Shearcaigh from the Aran Islands Energy Cooperative.

Before we commence, witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. Witnesses participating remotely outside the precincts of Leinster House today are reminded that parliamentary privilege does not apply in this case and the same level of caution should be applied as previously mentioned.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Mr. Ó Maoildhia to make his opening statement.