Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity to ask three questions, all of which are related to other Ministers and Departments but where there is a role for the Minister's Department. Regarding the major decarbonisation piece with offshore wind energy, the early stage planning for the west coast and the designated maritime area plans, DMAPs, that is very much with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a resource issue in terms of the expertise needed to create the DMAPs. Is there pressure from the Minister and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on his Cabinet colleague to accelerate the provision of DMAPs for the west coast as soon as possible?

Cement has been touched on. One of the ways forward in construction is to displace cement with other materials. Timber has fantastic potential. A lot of work has been done in forestry to grow wood for commercial reasons, including construction. There is a role for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in supporting that side of construction as well. What does the Minister intend to do to accelerate the displacement of cement and the use of timber?

My third question is similar and relates to hydrogen. In his opening statement, the Minister referred to biomethane but not to hydrogen. Hydrogen is a major part of our long-term vision but in order to get it rolling, we probably need to be supporting the SMEs and larger industries that are interested in hydrogen. An example would be supporting pilot projects. Does the Minister intend to support those early-stage movers in the hydrogen space?