Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Some of the problems associated with resources will improve when an additional 18 officials and five engineers start to work on infrastructural projects in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, while the current staff continue to work in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Deputy Jim O'Keeffe, like many other Deputies, spoke about the size of this resource. He argued that the regulatory regime has stifled development. On the other hand, public interest questions have had to be addressed in line with the principle of the Foreshore Act 1933 which, as Deputy Barrett said, could not have foreseen the challenges that emerged. I suggest that the primacy of the public interest requirement represents a major and worthwhile benchmark.

Deputy Burke asked whether staff will move. It is intended that five engineers will move. I should point out that they are not based in Clonakilty - they are based around the country. They know what happens in Kinvara Bay, Clonakilty Bay, Lough Foyle and elsewhere. He also spoke about realistic objectives, which would have been fine in 1980 or 1981. It certainly would be much more difficult to set out realistic objectives at national level in the aftermath of a European Court of Justice finding against the country. The Deputy also made a point many others made regarding opportunities in the fields of alternative and wind energy but nobody managed to answer the question I posed in my opening address in respect of the fact that of 420 wind turbines approved only seven have been built, none in recent times.

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