Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
106. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with organisations in County Cork on the potential for floating offshore wind there. [18854/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf I was to make a specific ask at this point, it would be for a dedicated discussion with the Minister. The potential for offshore wind in Cork is enormous in terms of reducing emissions but also in terms of creating jobs. However, we have to ensure that the skills are there on the ground in order that Cork can become a world leader in offshore wind and especially floating offshore wind. To do that, we need to do the work now to ensure the skills are in place and we are not bringing them in from elsewhere. We do not have time for a dedicated discussion now. However, would it be possible to have such a discussion with the Minister, at some stage, on how we can ensure that Cork and its harbour can become the world leader that they should be in offshore wind and floating offshore wind?
I appreciate the chance. We discussed it yesterday when we were talking about carbon budgets. I will explain why Cork Harbour will be essential to this economic opportunity. First, many of our energy assets are there. We have the Whitegate refinery and the power stations in Aghada and Whitegate. Most of our big pharmaceutical industries are there, which are large energy users. We have very strong grid connections. However, more than anything else, we have a world-class deep-sea water port of 11 m or 12 m at the quayside.
The scale of this offshore is beyond compare. One needs quaysides which can take up to 1,500 tonne pieces of metal to be brought out to sea, these are very large machines, such as the old Verolme dockyard, the marine nitrate site and Ringaskiddy, where investment is being made in the port facilities and investment is being made further inland. The new chair of the Port of Cork is someone with a real energy expertise background, which will help place the port at the centre of this.
I met with Cork Chamber of Commerce last year. A variety of different people are interested in the area. Companies are already investing in the likes of hydrogen facilities, which will be the energy of the future. However, this has to come from Cork, in terms of its sensitive planning and sensitive environmental considerations, very important special areas of conservation, SAC, and so on. By working with the Cork chamber, the Port of Cork and with the industrial interests there, we can make this a huge economic opportunity for the people of Cork. I will happily meet the Deputy separately to discuss it.
