Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for selecting this Commencement matter today. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, to the House. I am raising this issue for two reasons. First, our climate action plan has ambitions in respect of the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels, particularly in energy production. The ambition is to generate significant renewable energy from wind, with a major focus of the plan being to decarbonise the electricity system and to generate 80% of electricity using renewable energy by 2030. The second reason I am raising the issue relates to the concerns over short-term, medium-term and long-term energy supply and security in this country. We know that there are concerns around the necessary and increasing use of electricity as our economy continues to grow and prosper. We are aware of the challenges that puts on the system over time. It is important that we ensure we have short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions on energy supply. The Government is acting on that.

The generation of wind energy, particularly off the west coast, has been discussed. The idea has been supported across these Houses and has received support among the general public. It is a no-brainer and a game changer, and it is necessary for us to reach our climate change targets. The Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021 passed all Stages in the Oireachtas in December of last year. It establishes in law a new planning regime for the maritime area that will enable the development of offshore energy. The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, now has to be established. I understand that its administrative headquarters will be in County Wexford. MARA will be tasked with regulating development consent and planning for new wind projects. At present, it can take up to eight years to deliver these projects. That is too long. Clearly, the public has an interest in many aspects of offshore wind projects, including the impact on the fishing sector, the location of cables when they come ashore, environmental studies and impact assessments, and foreshore licensing. Consent around the various aspects of these projects takes a certain period of time. The planning takes time. There is a bit of confusion around the current system of planning and consent for offshore wind projects. I ask the Minister of State to outline the timeframe for the establishment of MARA, the process and timelines for the consent, licensing and approval of offshore wind projects, and the level and type of statutory engagement envisaged for offshore wind projects. That is clearly important.There has to be a continued role for people who have legitimate and not vexatious concerns in respect of any project and that there is a process there with which they can engage with the Department and with the regulatory authority. Concerns have already been expressed by fishermen, for example, in respect of the impact of the construction and operation of wind farms and projects on the west coast of Ireland that might impact on fish movements, and everything else that goes with that. It is important that there is clarity on what the present process is for major wind farm projects and the timelines that they will go through to deliver their projects. There is general acceptance of the need for offshore wind projects. That is not to say that there are not concerns and that there will not be objections and challenges to the process. Perhaps the Minister of State may be able to outline the process as it stands to the House, please.