Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Funding is provided through the SEAI and the Marine Institute for projects on test sites, including testing of new technologies and floating pontoons such that turbines will not have to be embedded in the sea floor. The potential for the west coast is huge. There are also pitfalls in terms of the weather extremes in that area. This issue is being examined in the context of scaling up the size of wind turbines. It is generally accepted that the higher the turbine, the greater the potential to generate energy. Testing of the floating devices is ongoing. The delay in progressing the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2013 is stagnating development in regard to the offshore. The Taoiseach is prioritising this legislation and it is hoped it will progress quickly having been delayed for some time.