Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Deputy is correct, in that the quality of wind supply along the west coast is the best in the country. There are those who would argue it is the best in Europe. Deputy Ó Cuív fully understands how the Government is constrained in terms of sourcing investment for this type of project. None the less, the commercial sector in this area is growing and it is our task to facilitate such growth. As the Deputy knows, a feed-in tariff would be required. It is regrettable that we are constrained, as this sector is already making a significant contribution to the reliance of electricity production on wind. There is tremendous further capacity.

The Taoiseach asked me this week to examine the wave energy research project in more detail than I have managed to date. I will let the Deputy know the outcome.

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