Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is an important issue. There obviously is massive potential and it is really important to the future of our country that we develop sustainably the potential of offshore renewable energy to meet our own national need but the capacity is there to produce enough electricity for five times what we need to become a net exporter. Obviously there is great potential there which we will step out. Central to how we will do that is engaging with the fishers who currently use parts of that ground for fishing opportunities. That consultation and engagement is really important. It is something I have been focusing on as Minister with responsibility for the marine, to make sure everybody is getting pulled together and that we actively focus to make sure people are properly engaged with in regard to that.

A seafood offshore renewable energy working group has now been established with joint input from my Department as well as the Department with responsibility for housing and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Ministers, Deputy O'Brien and Deputy Eamon Ryan. That his being facilitated by Captain Brian McCabe. That is an important forum but I accept what the Deputy is saying. There have been challenges around everybody coming together and having proper line of sight. It is important that everybody does and that everybody's views get taken on board, particularly those who actually depend on these areas for their livelihoods, and that this is fully understood and accommodated.

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