Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support the Minister's ambition in regard to offshore wind. I welcome the result of the offshore wind auctions of three weeks ago, which was very positive for us. Nevertheless, there are two issues. We need the maritime area regulatory authority, MARA, to be established. It was to be established in April and it is now going to be July. Will it definitely be established on 17 July and will it be properly resourced from the get-go? I would like a clear and unambiguous statement in respect of that.

Second, we do not have the ports infrastructure. I argued until I was blue in the face regarding our ports in advance of Brexit. I was not listened to but I was correct about the need for direct access. We do not have the ports infrastructure for the first, ambitious phase in the next few years. Rosslare Europort is available if we start investing now, but we need to invest now. I would like a firm commitment from the Government to championing this cause. Many ports will be required, including those in Foynes and Cork, but right now we need to have the investment in Rosslare to provide infrastructure. Otherwise, it will be Liverpool or Belfast that will serve the first generation of offshore wind.

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