Dr. Mark Mellett:

I thank the Senator for his remarks. I confirm that I have the commitment from the Minister that the resources are being made available. This is the reality in terms of our authority to recruit to a headcount of 74. We are at 25 now. I refer as well to the provision of a budget for our first year in terms of 2024.

I agree with the Senator as well concerning his point regarding local authorities. They have a key role to play here and now have a competence out to 3 nautical miles. I have worked with local authorities in trying to develop this vision. The Northern and Western Regional Assembly has a marine spatial plan. Mayo County Council has developed its own maritime strategy in the context of the opportunity here. The county has taken on board what it will have as a competence in respect of creating designated maritime area plans, DMAPs, and its other requirements for its area. I hope this would be a flagship strategy that could be replicated by other local authorities. The key word is, and the Senator articulated this aspect with passion, "leadership". This is not just a matter for central government. Subsidiarity is the key principle. If we can devolve decision-making to the lowest possible level, I think the efficacy that will result in terms of development, and development complementary to good environmental status, will be closer to perfect. I encourage all elected representatives and any individuals holding office to use their posts to ensure this issue is not left to be a problem for somebody else to deal with.

I see that we will all need to be offering encouragement, in the context of phase 1, to get these projects progressed. I also believe that there will be a biodiversity net gain in association with these developments. This must be recognised. I would like to see this articulated as being a win-win endeavour, not just in terms of the development of renewable energy but also in respect of a recognition that the environment will be better as a consequence of this type of development. This is a leadership responsibility. It will be necessary because I am certain there will be certain naysayers who will push against this development in the context of nimbyism and short-termism. We just do not have the time for this. I would, therefore, like to see this fire lit in local authorities throughout the country because they are key elements of the governance system. It is likewise with civil society. It must be ensured that people and organisations in that context have the information necessary to allow them to get behind these projects, which are not just good for their generation but for the generations to come.