Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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We will be dealing with the issue of wind turbines and wave power over the next few years. Some reports say this could be very exciting and that there is huge potential for the State, with huge benefits if it can be done. Is this Bill important for some of the projects being discussed in terms of ensuring that if it is sustainable development, it can happen? Do the witnesses have any concerns about it in respect of, for example, large-scale offshore wind farms or offshore wave energy projects? That issue is one of the three matters I wished to raise.

The second relates to the oil and gas industry. There has been some promising drilling off the south coast, near where the Chairman lives. I hear you will strike oil there soon, Chairman. There is talk, and I do not know how realistic it is, that some of the exploration will have some good results. The other issue is salmon farming. Will there be a stronger regime to deal with all of that? Would it become very cumbersome, as the legislation is now framed, and is it likely that it might it hold up some of those things unduly, or do the witnesses think it might be too slack in some areas and that some projects that are a little dodgy environmentally might be waved through?