Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am. Deputy Boyd-Barrett did very well in his 20 minutes. I thank the Minister for introducing this Bill. As has been said by Deputy Matthews, it is a huge and complex piece of legislation for a hugely complex endeavour by the Department. I welcome the opportunity to get into it. It has been said on a number of occasions that our maritime area is seven times the size of our land mass. With the exception of one wind array off the Irish coast, it is a largely untapped resource. This is an opportunity to put in place the appropriate arrangements for the proper planning and sustainable development of our maritime area, with a focus on the development of wind energy, but also of tidal and current energy, in due course, which are more likely appropriate in the vicinity of our near coastline.

The Bill will potentially streamline development in this field. It is important we recognise that from planning to delivery of a wind turbine in Ireland is approximately seven years. The clock is ticking on our 2030 target, which is nine years away, and we have to do this quickly. While I do not condone what Deputy Boyd-Barrett had to say on lobbying of the Business Committee, I recognise this Bill has been in development for quite a number of years. I think it was 2015 when it started, on the back of what he said about the recommendation being made in 2013. The Deputy will accept the Oireachtas sometimes moves quite slowly and the number of years that have passed has probably been a bit excessive, but it does not mean we should not recognise the importance of the introduction of a regulatory body such as MARA that will have the ability to enforce the Bill.

Further changes to the current system also envisage the introduction of the maritime area consent, MAC, process and special MAC cases which will give the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications greater flexibility. I have concerns about the automatic termination which does not afford the Minister or MARA the opportunity to extend a MAC. My understanding is that would be resolved in the courts. Such a provision or omission, if it is being caused by omission, should not be left unaddressed. The Minister of State might come back to that in his response.

It takes approximately seven years to get a wind turbine erected, from concept to planning. In order for us to adequately tackle our climate change obligations and our energy obligations, we need an efficient system.

I look forward to the Bill's passage. I recognise the committee on which I am privileged to serve, the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, has a significant role to play in the overall thrust of this debate and-or the future developments in onshore and offshore areas. For the moment I welcome the opportunity to have contributed to the debate.

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