Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I look forward to getting the detailed information as requested in the question. I will not come back on the Minister if there proves to be slight tolerance required or inaccuracies in the reply. My question is on wave and tidal energy. My understanding was the research on wave energy is ongoing. Ten years ago or more, Wavebob was carrying out tests in respect of wave energy in Galway Bay. The Minister's answer seems to indicate we have not even got this far. Are we going backwards on wave energy? My understanding is that it is much more consistent than wind. In other words, waves die down slower than the wind can die down and, therefore, it gives more consistent power than wind energy. I know that offshore is better than onshore because it a little bit more consistent. There is more wind offshore. My understanding is that wave energy would be even better again to overcome the peaks and troughs that are inevitable with renewable energy and how we use it. The crème de la crème, if we could harness it, would be tidal energy because it is twice a day, totally predictable and absolutely guaranteed.

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