Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As many of my colleagues have said, we support DMAPs. A number of people have spoken to the fact that a period of time was lost in bringing them about. We know the potential in offshore wind. If we are serious about decarbonisation and renewables, we know, given our geography - I am also not from the south coast - and certain other advantages we have, the benefits that exist and what we could achieve in becoming what has been referred to as a wind superpower. At this time, we have what can best be called a lost opportunity, but it is about ensuring this happens. I agree with what other speakers have said about consultation and engagement. We have all dealt with projects at different times where there would have been issues relating to the marine and fishermen and whatever else. It is about making sure people are compensated where necessary and, even beyond that, you allow for continuity and the continuation of their ability to make a living. That is necessary.

We know that far larger questions need to be dealt with, including with the planning system in Ireland. We have made proposals to make sure, even at its most simplistic, that An Bord Pleanála has all the resources it requires and, beyond that, that the Marine Area Regulatory Authority would have sufficient resources in order that it would not cause an impasse if we attempt to make the journey. We have particular targets for 2030 and they do not look good at the moment. That is not only from a planning point of view but also that we have to deal with the issue of infrastructure. We know the issue that exists with ports and we know where we need the grid to be. We know if we can do that, we can move into a different place. There are particular issues with the ORESS auctions, and all of this means we are facing into not meeting those targets for 2030.

If we are talking about the benefits of offshore wind, it is hard not to speak about the recent offshore renewable energy skills assessment report. It was produced for Green Tech Skillnet and Wind Energy Ireland. It found that meeting our target of 37 GW of offshore wind energy by 2050 could be worth €38 billion to the Irish economy. That would obviously open up tens of thousands of new jobs and we do not know what other ancillary impacts and synergies that could create. We really need to ensure we are facing the right direction and we get where we need to.

I spoke yesterday about retrofitting and used a simple example. We are talking about the moves that need to be made and about 2030 targets. Louth County Council had a target for 2023 for its social housing retrofits of 105, but it was able to draw down further money and was able to deliver 205. In 2024, the target is again only 140. It is an example of something a lot smaller than delivering on this project, but we have to ensure we get our act together or we will not get to the place we need to.

See this speech in context