Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps being taken to assess and develop the capacity to construct and support marine based renewable energy projects here with regard to the required harbour and associated facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35338/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland’s marine area is approximately ten times our land mass, and from a renewable energy perspective, one of the most energy-intensive in the EU. The development of this indigenous, clean and sustainable resource will contribute towards the achievement of our 2030 and 2050 climate goals, while also establishing a valuable energy market and tangible benefits to local marine users, neighbouring coastal communities and Irish companies. The Programme for Government commits to producing a plan setting out a path to achieve 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 as well as a longer term plan setting out how we will take advantage of the massive potential of offshore energy on the Atlantic Coast, in particular taking advantage of a potential of at least 30GW of offshore wind power in the Atlantic. This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure and will seek to create the right investment environment and support ocean energy research where necessary in the areas of floating wind, tidal, and wave power.

Realising the potential of our offshore resources requires significant work to develop the legal, regulatory and economic regime. The Programme for Government commits to taking the following steps in this regard:

- Holding the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction by the end of 2020, with auctions held each year thereafter, including the first RESS auction for offshore wind in 2021;

- Giving cross-government priority to the drafting of the Marine Planning and Development Bill, so it is enacted within nine months.

- Producing a whole-of-government plan setting out how we will deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and how we will develop the necessary skills base, supply chains, legislation, and infrastructure to enable it.

Good progress is already being made on these commitments and my Department is engaged with other Departments and agencies regarding the potential of Ireland’s supply chain in this area including with regard to harbour and associated facilities. The development of our offshore wind sector presents significant opportunities to Irish businesses, communities and the economy as a whole. Regional ports are already experiencing inward investment in anticipation of the significant upgrading works required for turbine assembly and deployment. Smaller ports will also see the creation of long-term jobs, as these ports are often more closely located to the wind farm sites themselves, and will be required for ongoing operation and maintenance.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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236. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the harbours that are considered suitable or relevant to the development of marine resources along the west coast of Ireland in view of the fact that the area is being viewed as an area that may be suitable for the development of marine renewables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35339/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government commits to producing a plan setting out a path to achieve 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 as well as a longer term plan setting out how we will take advantage of the massive potential of offshore energy on the Atlantic Coast, in particular taking advantage of a potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in the Atlantic. This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure and will seek to create the right investment environment and support ocean energy research where necessary in the areas of floating wind, tidal, and wave power. My Department is engaged with other relevant Departments and agencies regarding the potential of Ireland’s supply chain in this area including with regard to harbour and associated facilities. The development of our offshore wind sector presents significant opportunities to Irish businesses, communities and the economy as a whole. Regional ports are already experiencing inward investment in anticipation of the significant upgrading works required for turbine assembly and deployment. Smaller ports will also see the creation of long-term jobs, as these ports are often more closely located to the wind farm sites themselves, and will be required for ongoing operation and maintenance.