Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for that contribution. It is an important issue, and it is important that everybody is part of that process because there is so much to do in this space, and so much potential. However, we have to respect those who have been on this largely on their own for many generations, and who depend on it for their livelihoods as well. Captain Robert McCabe is leading the co-ordination of that offshore renewable group between the three relevant Departments.

I will go back to Deputy Cairns regarding Union Hall pier. It is something she has raised previously and her colleague, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, was in touch specifically around facilitating a meeting between Cork County Council and my Department on how this could step out. It is also something Deputy Michael Collins has raised previously. I have allocated some funding to Union Hall over the past couple of years. However, the initial steps in stepping this out is a role for Cork County Council with regard to the design, the development of the proposal, and getting it to a position where it can be submitted to the Department for consideration under any future grant schemes.

I have been to Union Hall a number of times. I spent summer holidays there. It is a wonderful part of the country and it has a really important fishing pier, and it is important that we find ways in the future. At the moment, it is in Cork County Council's bailiwick to step that forward but my team and I will certainly have that meeting with the council to discuss it.

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