Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the recently launched Ocean Energy Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20642/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I recently launched a new ocean energy strategy, which aims to put Ireland at the forefront of ocean energy development and position us to capitalise on this resource. The strategy was developed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and the Marine Institute.

As the first stage in implementing this strategy, we have recently upgraded the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in UCC as well as opening an ocean energy test site a mile and a half off the coast of Spiddal, Co Galway. This 37-hectare site will be open to test prototype ocean energy devices. The first wave energy device, 'WaveBob' has been deployed on the Spiddal site. SEI and the Marine Institute are also currently supporting a number of other ocean energy research and development initiatives.

The second phase of the strategy will see the development of pre-commercial grid connected devices and provide for a grid connection to the Galway Bay test site. Ireland has one of the most promising ocean energy resources in the world and the ocean energy strategy aims to position Ireland to take full advantage of this resource in the future.