Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is hard to follow that. Deputy Harkin and I will take five minutes each. There are two topics about which I wish to ask questions, and then Deputy Harkin will take over. Mention was made earlier of offshore wind power and its potential. The Minister mentioned a target of 3 GW by 2030. One of the biggest barriers to the development of offshore wind generation is the lack of proper foreshore legislation. I know that is not the Minister's responsibility, rather that of the Department with responsibility for the environment, but it should be of direct interest to the Minister. What contacts does the Minister have with the relevant Department to facilitate offshore wind generation? There is huge potential in the development of offshore wind generation, including construction and maintenance. Many of my neighbours in Killybegs work in the offshore sector in Scotland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany. What they are developing there could be developed in Ireland. The local boat yards could be used to develop and build the vessels used in this work. There is huge potential right across the board. I would like to ask the Minister about that.

I would also like to raise the issue of rural broadband. Issues have arisen throughout the country. Deputy Connolly has asked me to refer to Galway, where broadband and mobile service has been unavailable in north Connemara, Maum, Cleggan and Recess for several days. This is causing huge problems for people trying to access the broadband networks, including elderly people and teachers communicating with students.

It is right across the country and in Donegal we have the same problem. For example, in Drimarone and Letterbarrow in recent days, the Eir fixed lines have been down, as have the Vodafone mobile phone lines. I think this is due to a lack of staff to maintain them. Will the Minister comment on that?

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