Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:463. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what is delaying a long-promised report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27917/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 June 2023
Ceisteanna (463)
Freagraí scríofa
The Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce final report is due to be published on the 8th of July 2023.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government 2020 committed to supporting the Shannon Estuary region in recognition that it had been expecting economic development arising from new fossil-fuel infrastructure. The establishment of an independent Economic Taskforce was designed to evaluate the region’s economic development potential and was formally established on 21 April 2022, with the twofold objective to create a long-term vision for the region and to outline a practical action plan to realise it.
I very much look forward to the publication of this report which is the product of extensive stakeholder consultations by the Taskforce across the renewable energy, transport, logistics, communications, and tourism sectors. The Taskforce also engaged with the relevant Government Departments, Agencies, Ministers, members of the Oireachtas, MEPs, and local elected officials across counties Kerry, Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary. In addition to this, my Department ran two public consultations on behalf of the Taskforce.
The Taskforce published its interim report in November 2022 outlining a long-term vision for the Shannon Estuary region based on the delivery of 2GW of Atlantic Offshore Wind by 2030 and 30GW through the Estuary by 2050. Having engaged with then Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, and the Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications, and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD on the contents of the interim report, the Taskforce subsequently proceeded to develop a detailed action plan in close consultation with the key Government Departments and industry stakeholders. This will be the focus of the forthcoming report, along with recommendations for implementation.
It is anticipated that the final report from the independent Taskforce will contain specific recommendations on policy, regulatory reform, and infrastructure development to enable the Shannon Estuary to be the lead location for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy. The report is also expected to set out a series of recommendations designed to bring more immediate economic and sustainability benefits to the region, including actions on the deployment of onshore sources of renewable energy such as biomethane, and proposals for developing the region’s transport and logistics infrastructure, digital connectivity, and tourism offering.