Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The next time the Dáil sits, COP27 will be under way. The conference will hear that greenhouse gas emissions were at record levels last year. Ireland has ambitious targets that are agreed. They include a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030. To achieve that, offshore wind will play a significant role. Our ports will also play a significant role but they will need to be ready. We know they sought funding through the Connecting Europe Facility, CEF, but they were not successful. We do not have a port that is ready for the manufacture and installation of offshore wind infrastructure. They will need significant funding, be it through the European Investment Bank, EIB, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, or green funds. Is this a priority for the Tánaiste and his Department? Will there be a commitment to funding next year and in the years ahead to realise the opportunity of offshore wind and to drive down our emissions?

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