Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The future framework policy is coming up for consideration in spring 2024 and the ask is that phase 3 includes floating offshore wind, and in particular that the Wild Atlantic Way is looked at. There is also an ask for designated maritime areas where wind can be facilitated. In specific, the Taoiseach needs to give a role to Clare County Council and other local authorities along the western seaboard to lead some of this. It does not all have to be led by the Department; give the council the competency. Let us have a marine planning unit within those western local authorities. I ask the Taoiseach to give us some hope because we have huge faith in wind energy, what it can do environmentally and the revenue it can bring to the State. However, hope is fading a little on the policy and regulatory framework and we are hoping the Taoiseach can give some renewed hope to the region.

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