Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the outset I want to say how disappointing it is to hear the negative narrative from some Opposition Deputies about this legislation. The Deputies who constantly criticise the Government for not reaching emissions targets or not switching to cleaner renewable energy at a faster pace are the same ones who are now describing this legislation, which is so important for reaching those targets, as a threat to coastal communities or as something that will somehow lead to the demise of coastal communities. It is very disappointing. This legislation represents huge opportunities for our switch to cleaner renewable energy. I am not overstating things when I say Ireland could become a global superpower in renewable energy. The potential for 30,000 MW of energy from floating offshore wind could lead to us providing 2.5% of Europe's entire energy needs and 5% of its renewable energy needs. Not only are we helping Ireland reach its emissions targets and reduce emissions, we are actually helping it on a European scale as well. That is often forgotten.

This legislation is positive and is a good news story as regards reaching our global emissions and climate action targets. There will be challenges and of course there needs to be consultation, but according to the research I have done, particularly on offshore energy, there are opportunities here. Take the fishing sector, for example. At the moment, international super-trawlers are taking vast amounts of fish from coastal waters. These offshore floating wind areas could create a de facto no-catch zone for those big international boats, leading to an increase in stocks and a revival of some stocks benefiting the Irish fishing sector. As well as that, the evidence at the moment shows there are areas of biodiversity underneath these offshore floating wind areas, and smaller ecosystems can be created to help create biodiversity.

We cannot go blindly into this. I spend probably too much time out on the water looking for whales, dolphins and cetaceans. These are animals that hunt acoustically. Obviously, when constructing wind energy there is going to be an impact there, but no development can take place without rigorous environmental impact studies. That has to be taken into account. The inshore fishing sector in west Cork has concerns and that is why the designation of MPAs is incredibly important. That will happen but I do not see why it has to be one or the other. There is urgency around both pieces of legislation.

We talk about consultation. We welcomed the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, to west Cork during the summer and he met members of the fishing sector, ecologists and people concerned about biodiversity. There was consultation there so the argument that there was no consultation is unfair.

I welcome this Bill. It provides immense opportunities for our country and our coastal communities.

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