Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I remember it was longer ago, 14 or 15 years ago, when the likes of Wavebob and OpenHydro, really good Irish companies, were deploying in the seas. It is something we massively supported in our previous time in government, along with Deputy Ó Cuív and others. We are continuing this. The SEAI is developing a marine energy test site west of Belmullet, which will go out to the Atlantic to seek carry out further testing in a harsher environment than that found in Galway Bay. We see this as having potential.

We have to be honest and upfront also. OpenHydro is probably the best energy company I have seen, dealt with and worked with. Unfortunately, the technology ran into difficulties which require further iterations and improvements. Similarly, with Wavebob it is not that we are giving up but it is a harsh environment. It is difficult to generate electricity in a marine environment. I absolutely commit to investing and supporting it. The reality and truth is that in the immediate future it is offshore wind that will provide the very large scale of volume. It is where the technology has developed and evolved. It is part of our ocean marine research investment future.

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