Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I will give the Deputy one last piece of information that is relevant to this question. It pertains to the proposed Atlantic marine energy test site at Belmullet, County Mayo, which is approaching a stage of development that could see it ready to enter the full consenting process within the next few months, subject to budgetary considerations in 2012 and future years. The test site includes two offshore test areas at water depths of 50 m and 100 m which would, in turn, be connected to a shore-based electricity substation.

I do not disagree with the Deputy regarding the contribution that might be made. However, some of these technologies are still very much at the research stage. I hope the Government will be able to continue to fund some of this research because Ireland is uniquely endowed in this sector.

In response to the Deputy's question on planning, yes there are and continue to be difficulties in the system, whereby projects that are essential for this and other purposes have slowed down. It is a constant challenge to balance the rights of individual citizens and the public interest. Trying to get the balance right is a difficult challenge.

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