Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate the understanding she appears to have. The reality is that the Carbon Trust has said that Rosslare Europort is the preferred port for an offshore wind farm construction base. There is no competition. It is the most strategic port. With the knowledge and understanding that the Minister and Minister of State have, I am a little dismayed to think that the potential in Rosslare may be lost because this will ultimately go to the UK.

If we do not give the urgent attention and investment required to Rosslare, we will lose the potential of billions of euro being invested in the Irish economy because we failed to prepare the most strategic preferred port for the construction of a wind farm base. I cannot understand that we are discussing today the possibility that there might be a competition process. There is no competition. Rosslare is deemed to be the best port. I ask the Minister of State to confirm when the funding will be forthcoming.

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