Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
160. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has had with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the need to urgently develop marine facilities at Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine fisheries harbours to support the onshore and offshore energy business; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51963/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regularly meet with my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, in relation to delivering the commitments set out in the Programme for Government on renewable energy and climate action. We are both members of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change, which I chair.
At official level, a number of relevant Departments are co-ordinating on renewable energy and associated infrastructure to facilitate our 2030 targets. Offshore renewable energy, in particular, will require significant development of our ports and marine facilities. In this regard, my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine are co-ordinating via the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan Steering Group and also the Offshore Renewable Energy Seafood Group, the latter of which was specifically established to develop engagement between the emerging offshore renewable energy sector and the established marine industries of fishing and aquaculture.
