Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The future is renewables and particularly offshore renewables. We have six projects off the east coast in planning, as the Deputy knows. We have our first designated maritime area plan, DMAP, through, which is in the south east. I will be bringing forward proposals to the Government in the coming weeks to accelerate the DMAP process. I have met stakeholders, including in the development sector, and will meet representatives of the Climate Change Advisory Council, CCAC, this afternoon. It is critical but we have a resource that we can use, unlike other countries that do not have the opportunity we have. Next week, I will be attending the switching-on of the interconnector. Our interconnectors with continental Europe are also critical.

There is the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund and the review of the national development plan, NDP, is under way. It will require significant investment by the State in our infrastructure. I am visiting the Port of Cork, coincidentally, on Monday and I have been in Shannon Foynes as well. The latter's master plan is completed. We need to get the port infrastructure in place. Cork port is done and I commend it on the work it has done. Planning is well advanced in Shannon Foynes and in ports on the east coast.

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