Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. A study commissioned by the Irish Wind Energy Association in 2020 estimates that the development of just 3 GW of offshore wind energy off the west coast, approximately 4% of the actual energy potential off our coast, could lead to the creation of 2,500 jobs during the construction phase and a further 600 permanent jobs once the wind farms are in operation. The study also estimated that the development of the offshore wind energy sector could contribute €1.7 billion a year to the Irish economy. The difficulty is that Enterprise Ireland is primarily focused on helping Irish SMEs to develop capability in terms of exporting, not looking at the potential that we have here. When they do look at it here, they are only focusing on high-potential start-ups rather than the indigenous potential that exists already. I know the Minister's commitment to and interest in this. I am asking him to take a special focus on this area.

See this speech in context