Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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161. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will establish an offshore renewable development authority similar to the Industrial Development Authority that will drive a fully co-ordinated national action plan, and will have responsibilities ranging from research and development and supply chain development to the commercial deployment of renewable energy, ensuring that Ireland becomes the leading global clean energy exporter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62959/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has discussed with Enterprise Ireland plans to stimulate the establishment of indigenous businesses in the renewable energy supply chain through a national renewable energy business accelerator programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62960/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

With Ireland’s maritime area seven times the size of its landmass and our location at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, I am critically aware that the potential for offshore renewable energy in Ireland is enormous. Central to realising this potential, and to meeting our targets, is the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce.

The goal of this Taskforce is to accelerate and drive delivery of offshore wind by public bodies, and to maximise the economic benefit to Ireland of offshore wind. The key output is the development of a system-wide plan for the roll-out offshore wind, bringing together the work ongoing across Government to deliver on our offshore wind ambitions. The Taskforce is chaired by my Department, with its membership comprising senior officials from the Government Departments and Agencies that are vital to the delivery of Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions.

The system-wide plan will include a workstream for supply chain involving my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Enterprise Ireland, working closely with the Department of Transport and industry. This workstream will capitalise on the economic opportunities of offshore wind for the domestic supply chain and the potential for enterprise clusters at ports; support mitigation of international supply chain risks to the system-wide plan; and support job creation and expansion of Irish companies in the sector.

With respect to growing Irish potential in this sector, earlier this year Enterprise Ireland launched the Gael Offshore Network, which is an offshore wind supply chain cluster consisting companies which provide a range of products, services and skillsets appropriate to the offshore wind sector.