Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister stated that every place and person matters. If he takes that sentiment with him, it will be a great place to start from with this Bill. If he meets the farming organisations, I have no doubt he will bring them with him and win the day. They know there is going to be change.

It is ironic that we are debating this on a day when two important reports came out. One is a report by Dr. John Bradley on the Atlantic rail corridor from Galway to Mayo, which is 50 km in length and would cost €154 million, including a 20% contingency. When I asked the Minister about the corridor from Athenry to Claremorris some months ago, he responded very positively. I hope he will look at this report.

The second report is about a farm in Bandon, west Cork, that has received a Science Foundation Ireland award. The ambition is to create a carbon neutral dairy farm by 2027. This is an example of the way forward. The Minister can bring it to the attention of the farming organisations and they can provide their input as to how this will play out going forward and we can become a carbon neutral community.

I have much to say about offshore renewable energy in the west, where there is no offshore plan. There are 5 GW proposed on the east coast but there is nothing provided for on the west coast. That requires a significant debate in this Chamber and the Minister should come back at the earliest opportunity to consider where we can go and how we can put a planning framework in place. There are many substantial investors who would like to get involved in this sector along the west coast. I am out of time. Hydrogen power could come into play with regard to those activities.