Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Mac Lochlainn and Ó Cuív.

There is potential here on a number of fronts. The central objective and rationale behind the port is fisheries and making sure that Ros an Mhíl can thrive and grow again from a fisheries perspective. That is the key rationale. We also have to examine how we can leverage that for existing industries and for the years ahead. Deputy Ó Cuív is correct regarding the State and the Government planning for the transformation that we will see in renewable energy in the years ahead and making sure that we as a country benefit from that and become a net energy exporter. Central to that is planning in putting the infrastructure in place. Ros an Mhíl has potential to make a significant contribution and for that industry to make a significant contribution to the port, County Galway and, indeed, the west coast in the years ahead as well.

I recognise the work that was done with Údarás na Gaeltachta under the stewardship of Mr. Michael Heaney and his team in the report they put together looking at the potential of that, and also the support of the Minister of State, Deputy Jack Chambers, for this project. Overall, the key objective is driving fisheries on but also then looking to see how we can maximise its impact for the economic and employment potential in Connemara, west Galway and the west coast in the years ahead.

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