Mr. Niall Goodwin:

I thank the Chairman and I thank the Senator for the questions. I will briefly expand on what Mr. Moran said. By the time we get to that enduring model post-2030, there will be that State-led element, both on the grid side and on the planning side. That is important for the reasons the Senator outlined. It will allow for those efficiencies to be found. In the period up to now the choice we have is that it is a matter of speed and a matter of doing this quickly. Ultimately, we want to try to get to the 5,000 MW target as quickly as we can. If we want to give ourselves the best chance of getting there by 2030, the developer-led approach is probably the way that enables us to get there.

I might mention some of the work happening on the phase 1 projects. We have spoken a lot this morning about the target, and rightly so. Getting to that 30 GW, or beyond, that is called for in the programme for Government requires due attention, as does the potential of floating wind to deliver this decade and then even more so into the next. It is probably important to note this will not happen if we do not successfully get, or keep, the phase 1 projects on track and ensure we deliver. That is happening at the moment in the work EirGrid is doing by trying to devise the ways these six projects, and the one that come through the auction successfully, will connect to the grid and deliver power. The first ORESS auction must be designed appropriately so they can bid in at a price that is competitive and is good value for the consumer and deliver electricity at a level that is good value for the consumer. We also need timely delivery of the maritime area consents later this year to ensure projects are able to undertake that survey work and then take that first step into the planning system. It is really crucial, if we are going to see our longer-term ambition delivered and are going to see the phase 2 projects and floating wind projects by the end of the decade, that the first step be taken to get the phase 1 projects on track and ensure the needed steps are put in place to get there.

Ultimately, and I am aware we are saying this a lot this morning, it comes back to resourcing. We need increases in resourcing in An Bord Pleanála to ensure planning applications can be dealt with. As the Senator pointed out, it is really important NPWS has adequate resources to deal with this new industry. It is a new industry for the country and we need to have the relevant expertise there. At the moment there are some great people working in EirGrid to try to get some of the grid connection policy progressed but they are stretched for resources. As Mr. Cunniffe and Mr. Moran mentioned at the start, in the Department we have only a limited number of officials working full time on offshore energy. Resourcing is the key that is going to get us to that 5 GW target by 2030. I will leave it there. I emphasise the importance of those phase 1 projects as a first step to give that market certainty so everything else can follow afterwards.