Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I remember visiting the port in Rosslare 17 or 18 years ago when the first offshore wind farm was being built. The blades and turbines were deployed from Rosslare Harbour. It seems that the port has many of the characteristics we will need, considering the significant investment we are going to make in the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea areas. We expect an auction system early next year. Prior to that, it is critical that we get the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill through this House in order that we can set up the necessary systems. The Deputy is right that there is a tight timeline involved. The Government must act quickly and it will do so. We will make sure that the investments are in place to facilitate development, subject to proper environmental checks. It may not necessarily or exclusively happen in Rosslare because we must look at the variety of port options and different ports come with different options. We will make the best choice for the economic and environmental development of this country.

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