Mr. Noel Cunniffe:

I will provide a general overview of the number of jobs before passing over to my colleague, Ms O'Connell, on what we can learn from the UK's experience and then to Mr. Ivers as one of our supply chain members to discuss their experience on the ground.

Today, approximately 6,000 people are employed in the wind industry in Ireland. They are not just people who are installing the turbines, but also planners, hauliers and the entire supply chain, including people working in financial institutions across the country. We have commissioned a report, entitled "Harnessing our potential: Investment and jobs in Ireland's offshore wind energy", which I referenced in my opening statement. It examined Ireland's old target for offshore renewable energy, which was 3.5 GW. We have since increased that to 5 GW. The report identified that, between 2020 and 2030, approximately 2,500 jobs would have been created by the offshore wind energy sector deploying the 3.5 GW. Scotland already has 4,700 people employed.

The potential for jobs in our industry is as limited as Ireland makes it. Ireland has an enormous marine area and we are the envy of Europe. We can become not just energy independent, but a significant exporter of energy. To do that, though, we will need the right types of skill, training and facilities. That is why having a task force that devises an action plan for developing the right jobs, the right training facilities and the right collaboration with third level institutes will be vital.

A sector deal was put in place in Britain. Ms O'Connell was central to that, so I will pass over to her to discuss that experience.