Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy McDonald raised the issue of Wind Energy Ireland. There is no question but that the next ten years will be an exciting ten years in respect of offshore wind development, and it is very important that we do that in a managed and controlled way. The Minister has already issued consents for the first seven wind farms and there is an auction to happen later in the year. That process is under way. The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, the new agency under the maritime legislation, has been established and advertisements are out for the CEO of that agency, which is vital in terms of facilitating planning. The capacity of An Bord Pleanála in respect of wind energy and maritime developments in particular is being enhanced and supported through specific financial resourcing of extra staff. Ports are coming forward with plans in respect of developments and infrastructural investment so they can be ready to benefit from the ecosystem that Deputy Cathal Crowe correctly outlined in terms of the spin-offs that can happen in regard to wind energy. Deputy Crowe is correct that there is a huge potential spin-off, particularly for the west of Ireland and areas that are more rural. To me, this is the equivalent of the financial services sector over the next ten to 15 years. Ireland can become a net energy exporter because of the resource we have with offshore wind. The Government is determined to drive forward with this in every possible way.

Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the situation for somebody in a HAP house or on RAS who is being evicted, and said that a particular council did not see fit to buy a house. The Minister has made it very clear that they can buy a house and they should.

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