Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:24. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will comment on a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41862/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 12 October 2023
Ceisteanna (24)
Freagraí scríofa
I very much welcome the ambition set out by the independent Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce in their Final Report. The Taskforce’s vision for an Atlantic Green Digital Corridor, developing from the Shannon Estuary and stretching from Cork to Donegal is more than an energy strategy; it is also about reshaping the Irish economy very fundamentally, and it offers a tangible opportunity to achieve balanced regional development, something that is a key priority of mine.
Minister Coveney joined the Taoiseach and Ministers Ryan and Foley in launching the independent Taskforce’s Report in Ardnacrusha on the 8th of July last. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government 2020 committed to supporting the Shannon Estuary region by establishing this Taskforce and I was particularly pleased to see that commitment honoured in such a visionary and ambitious Final Report.
I particularly welcome the Taskforce’s proposal to develop an Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind. My Department has established a dedicated Unit tasked with delivering on this objective recognising the vast potential the industry has for Ireland. My officials are leading on extensive consultations across Government and industry to develop the Strategy, and the intention is to publish a Strategic Roadmap in the first half of 2024.
A number of related recommendations contained in the Report, including the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) and the publication of a National Hydrogen Strategy, have also been actioned by Government in the past few months. These are important elements to our delivery of offshore wind energy, and its routes to market, and both clearly demonstrate Government’s commitment to developing an offshore wind industry of scale in Ireland.
I also welcome the series of recommendations in the Report designed to bring more immediate economic and sustainability benefits to the Shannon Estuary region. This includes actions required to develop and upscale the deployment of onshore sources of renewable energy such as biomethane, as well as specific recommendations on developing the region’s transport and logistics infrastructure, digital connectivity, and proposals around further developing the Estuary’s tourism offering.
The relevant Departments and Agencies are currently examining all the Taskforce recommendations in detail and my Department plan to publish an implementation update by the end of the year.