While one could worry about the potential of solar power, is it not a fact that we have special advantages in relation to wave power because of the great stretch of our west coast? I understand that some research is going on at UCD. Are we spending any significant sums on this project, especially in view of the fact that the British have just given up their rather promising experiments, the Cockrell Raft and so on, which would mean that if we do not do it nobody else is going to do it? Are we spending real money on the project or do we intend to spend real money on it?

I agree that there is considerable potential in this area. It is estimated that potentially the energy generated by the waves around this island constitutes about three times the amount of energy consumed on the island at present, so the potential is there. However, the harnessing of that energy is a project which is far ahead. We are a considerable distance from achieving success in harnessing that energy. As the Deputy said, we are doing some work in Cork and also in other institutions.

There are wave measurement projects going on around our coast but, on the basic kind of work involved in this, the major effort is taking place in Japan. We are participating in that experimentation. We contribute a relatively small amount to it but we are participating in the feed back from it. I believe that is the area from which there is the greatest liklihood of progress. I regard it as being a longer term project than some of the others I have mentioned.

Is the Minister satisfied that Cork is getting as much money as they could use, if they got it, to good effects?

I have no reason to believe otherwise.