Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to speak in favour of the Bill, which will lead to many new and exciting developments in our marine economy.

The establishment of this authority will ensure that these developments will be done in a well-managed way, striking a delicate balance between sustainable development and managing our environment for the good of all humans and the millions of other species of flora and fauna with which we share our land and seas.

Ireland has a long and proud tradition of marine enterprise and exploration. I am a Teachta Dála for the coastal county of Clare. We must remember that 75% of our population live in coastal counties. The new authority will be of benefit to all of us, and I will support this Bill. The new authority will research, plan, and manage a maritime area seven times the size of our landmass. The main basis for this legislation is contained in the National Marine Planning Framework, part 1 of Ireland's marine strategy, which was published by the Government just over a year ago. This is a comprehensive and valuable document. Many of the records contained in this report were recorded and observed by the Marine Institute. Will this body be absorbed into the new authority or will it remain an independent entity?

Ireland's location in the north Atlantic has given us a favourable climate since the end of the Ice Age, but with increased industrialisation over the past 200 years we have endangered not only ourselves but our climate, which we now know is a delicate balance. The creation of this new authority will bring vast rewards for all those involved in the marine. We now know that an increase of 1^oC can lead to a 7% increase in moisture content of tropical storms. We have seen the effects in some of the recent storms and subsequent flooding in many of our towns and rural areas. In recent years, Ireland has spent millions on constructing flood defences for many cities and towns throughout the country.

Clare has a proud tradition in the provision of electricity for the entire State in world-leading headline projects that have been game changers. In the first years of the State, 20% of the entire budget was invested in building the Ardnacrusha electricity project and the creation of a national grid. It provided enough electricity to power the entire State. After only a few years, it provided 80% and it now produces only 2%. Following the oil crisis, the State decided to reduce its dependence on the use of oil to produce electricity and built the coal burning Moneypoint power station, which over the past 40 years, has provided up to 45% of our electricity needs. The scientific advice has advanced and it is now essential that we reduce our carbon emissions and use green energy to power our energy needs. It is with great satisfaction that I acknowledge the regeneration plans for the Moneypoint power station by the ESB, along with international partners in the world-leading headline Green Atlantic project. They are planning to transform this location into a strategic base, with its deep sea port facility to provide green energy for Ireland and the strategic use of new technology offshore floating windmills to provide all of Ireland's electricity, and in the future, exporting this clean green energy.Work on this project has started and a large part of the infrastructure is in place. Within this project is also the development of a green hydrogen generation plant which is expected to power fuel our ships, trains and heavy goods vehicles and, probably in the foreseeable future, aeroplanes, which will be a massive asset for the nearby Shannon Airport.

While mentioning the Shannon Estuary, I must also highlight the excitingrural regeneration and development fund application lodged by Clare County Council and supported by Enterprise Ireland for the establishment of a new maritime training centre in Kilrush. I understand that it will provide marine safety training to all personnel involved in maritime operations, including our rescue services, those who will construct and service these new floating wind turbines and all others involved in the marine sector.

In recent years, we have seen a number of important and strategic developments held up or cancelled by serial objectors who, for ideological or other reasons, have lodged numerous objections. Does this legislation include any measures to provide for address of these concerns in a balanced and fair way for all sides? Is the issue of commercial rates liable to a local authority also addressed? Will the hundreds, if not thousands, of marine wrecks at the bottom of sea be dealt with within the administrative area of the new authority?

Under section 36, the authority is answerable to the Minister. Does this extend to the answering of parliamentary questions?

I support this Bill. It will facilitate the headline projects I mentioned in County Clare. I look forward to its safe passage through the Houses.

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