Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
656. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on Cork Harbour being proposed as an energy support hub for Irish based exploration and production activity, as well as for offshore wind generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25871/15]
View answerThere is significant expertise in the Cork harbour area for the maritime and energy sectors including the long established presence of the oil refinery at Whitegate, the National Maritime College of Ireland, the Irish Maritime and Energy Research Cluster (IMERC) at Ringaskiddy and the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) in the Tyndall National Institute in Cork City. Inputs from the wider Cork energy community into the Energy Green Paper process coordinated by my Department have been significant and were noted. My Department has a strong interest in the energy sector in the Cork harbour area. For instance, the Beaufort Building on the IMERC campus, which is a state-of-the-art ocean research facility, is co-funded by my Department and I am represented on the oversight board of the IERC.
Initiatives such as IMERC and IERC will ensure that the energy sector continues to help secure our return to economic growth and quality job creation. Both IMERC and IERC have a particular focus on research and collaboration with industry, a focus that is helping to develop a secure, affordable and sustainable energy future for Ireland. Earlier this year, I spoke at the annual IERC conference in Cork and I have also recently visited the IMERC centre where I saw first-hand how small and medium-sized research centres and enterprises are working to position Ireland as a focal point in the international marine renewable sector.
Under the framework of the Government’s Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, the IMERC facility, along with the quarter scale marine test facilities in Galway bay and the development of the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) off the coast of Mayo, combined with the support of the Prototype Development Fund managed by the Ocean Energy Unit of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), positions Ireland well to harness the potential of our abundant offshore renewable energy resources (wind, wave and tidal).
The availability of Irish ports such as Cork, with the infrastructural capacity to support offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities, is important if we are to realise the economic potential of the Irish offshore. The specific location in the Irish offshore of oil and gas exploration or development activity will undoubtedly be a key determinant in the commercial decision by industry as to which Irish port might be utilised in supporting such activity.
I believe that the Cork Harbour area, together with many other locations, will play an increasingly important role in Ireland’s energy future.
