Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not a case of either-or, thankfully, because the economy is growing at pace. We have a requirement to develop our regional ports, as the Deputy said. There is also a requirement to deal with the level of trade through Dublin. When one looks at the logistics pattern and the level of trade and the fact that a significant percentage of the goods and materials are delivered very close to Dublin Port, one can see that there will be demand within Dublin. As the Deputy said, there has been huge growth in Rosslare. We have very ambitious plans across several other regional ports in the east, south west and west. That is why we need the business plans and cases, which are being finalised at different stages across different ports, to enhance regional development of our ports. We share the Deputy's ambition for the regions, in which offshore renewable energy will play a key part. We are engaging with the various units in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage relating to MARA and trying to advance the consent process. The question on finance will be clear when we see the business cases, at which point we can assess that matter.

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