Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State and the opportunity to speak on this very important legislation. My party fully supports the Bill. In fact, Fine Gael published plans in its New ERA document which would create 100,000 jobs in this country. From research done, I was amazed to see that the foreshore covers 49,000 sq. km. or the equivalent of 57% of the landmass of the Republic of Ireland. That is a huge area. I wish the Minister of State well with the Bill.

Wind and wave energy will be very important for the economic development of this country. This country could export wind and wave energy. My county has the highest wind speeds in Europe, wind speeds that are far in excess of those in any other county, even though County Donegal is a little further ahead than County Mayo in developing wind energy projects. However, those involved in wind energy projects have problems connecting to the grid. I hope the Government will put energy into sorting out these problems as quickly as possible. As an island nation we should be exporting wind energy. We have a golden opportunity to develop wind energy. Various Ministers have commented in recent years on the potential that exists for the development wind and wave energy. A pilot scheme is being run in County Mayo off the coast of Belmullet. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, approved grant aid for it and visited the project recently, having previously visited it on a number of occasions.

A basic element of this legislation will be the granting of foreshore licences and charting a way to provide quicker access for projects to come on stream. If that transpires to be the case, this legislation will be welcome.

My Fine Gael colleague, Deputy Coveney, has produced a policy document which proposes the creation of 100,000 jobs in the development of wave and wind energy. It is a sector where there is massive potential for growth, job creation and energy exports. Every effort should be made to fast-forward wind and wave energy projects that are in the pipeline, of which there are quite a number along our coastline. We should be a world leader in such development given our geographical position. It is suggested that one project off the coast of Galway could generate enough electricity to power half the country. That is only one of several such projects that could be developed off our coastline.

I welcome the Bill and what the Minister of State had to say. I have no doubt that the many concerns raised by various Senators will be taken into account and that will give us a clearer definition of how we should progress in this area. Senator O'Toole raised the issue of difficulties in regard to the granting of foreshore licences encountered by various county managers in bringing forward wind and wave energy projects within their counties along our coast. I hope this legislation will help to address that issue.

I wish the Minister of State well with the Bill. I hope it becomes law as quickly as possible and will help to bring to fruition the many wind and wave energy projects that are in the pipeline throughout the country.