Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to talk specifically about the east coast.

Some people say that fixed-bottom technology is available and cheaper and that the east coast is not suitable for anything other than fixed-bottom wind farms. They also say that fixed-bottom wind farms have to be closer to shore and floating ones can be farther out, which is a point on which I would like Mr. Cunniffe to comment. He will understand that people on the coast have an interest in how close a wind farm will be to them. It is my understanding that fixed-bottom wind farms can be located so far out that they will not impinge on the view, but there is also a belief that, since they have to be closer in than floating wind farms, it would be better to wait until the floating technology was ready. I do not agree, as the time for this is now, but the view has been expressed to me that we should perhaps wait until the floating technology is a little more developed. Is it correct to say that fixed-bottom technology is fairly developed, is in place elsewhere and can be located far offshore?