Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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I would like to pose a few questions myself. I congratulate Mr. Sisk on his appointment. Now that this meeting has happened, he can drop the designate from the title and take on full duties as chairperson. I represent County Waterford, an area that is primed and ready in many respects for the development of offshore renewables. However, there is some concern locally about the impact this will have on marine wildlife. I want to get a sense of what work the Marine Institute has done on the potential impacts on the marine environment, and particularly on marine biodiversity, of placing fixed wind turbines in offshore locations.

My next question is on the issue Deputy Whitmore raised earlier regarding contracts. A figure was given that approximately 100 people are on fixed-term contracts. Is there a plan in place? We have been told there is engagement but is there a plan in place to regularise some of these? They are people working in a public institute paid for by the public purse. No more than school caretakers and secretaries who are members of Fórsa and who are engaging in industrial action, they should be entitled to the same terms and conditions of employment as their colleagues receive.