Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for those two important points. In respect of the Canadian market, Enterprise Ireland has approximately 1,400 clients in operation in that jurisdiction. IDA Ireland currently has under review its location plans through its capital plans. I will relay the Deputy's comments about the opportunities, especially further to the engagement through the CETA partnership. There are probably significant opportunities, as he rightly pointed out.

In respect of powering prosperity and our offshore renewable wind plan, in my previous Department I was very much engaged in providing the planning and consent regime for the offshore renewable sector, ensuring MARA got up and running with a chief executive and a team and ensuring we would get our designated marine area plans, DMAPs, in place, that is, the local area plans that allow development to commence. From the Arklow Bank to now, a lot of time has passed without investment in this area.

When we look to the horizon and the energy demand out to 2030, we have to get this right and delivered by then. If we do not, our economy will suffer. It is so important we put all our wheels in motion. I hope to work with Scotland in this area. We are getting ready to have a memorandum of understanding with Scotland in connection with it. In supply chain management, there is a lot we can do in that regard. I visited the port in Cork, met people and brought a ministerial colleague. There is planning permission; the Deputy is quite right. It is currently with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, and there is a live application. It is important it be delivered urgently. It has been raised with the Government and we do know about the urgency attached to it. Obviously, the port and Foynes need significant investment and the Government is prepared on that front to ensure we can manage the logistics attached to the supply chains. That is going to be critical to get it operational.

On the west coast, further out, there is significant work to be done in advancing the DMAPs. There is huge work on innovation and trying to secure floating turbines that will work, as prescribed, offshore. I understand there has not yet been any invention that works satisfactorily, but we have to be ready for it when there is. The Government is seeking to have we the conditions right, have our strategy in play and are prepared to host infrastructure, deliver the complex supply chains and invest research because the area is ever changing. As a Department, we are investing heavily in research in the area.

I absolutely acknowledge the urgency. ISIF is dealing with the Port of Cork as we speak. It is important that that investment be delivered.