asked the Minister for Energy if his Department were requested at any time by Donegal County Council or if it is his Department's intention at a future date to carry out an assessment of the possibility of harnessing tidal energy at Mulroy Bay, County Donegal.

The Department of Energy have not been requested by Donegal County Council to carry out an assessment of the possibility of harnessing tidal energy at Mulroy Bay, but the council have been in contact with the ESB on a number of occasions on this topic. The ESB have carried out an assessment and are of the opinion that Mulroy Bay is not suitable for the harnessing of tidal energy.

On the question of further examination, the ESB have engaged an expert on tidal energy to assess the potential of a number of sites this year, and he will be asked for his opinion on Mulroy Bay as part of his report.

When does the Minister expect he will have the second assessment of the possibility of Mulroy Bay being harnessed, even in the long-term?

I cannot put a time limit on it. Professor Wilson of Salford University was engaged this summer by the ESB to assess certain sites for the possibility of harnessing tidal energy. I have asked him to give an opinion on the possibility of Mulroy Bay as a possible site. However, I would not like to name a date on which I will receive this report, but I would not expect it to be a long period.

Is the Minister aware that there are unique mariculture possibilities at Mulroy Bay which are being exploited by local people? Will he ensure that any investigation into the possibilities of tidal energy being harnessed will be compatible with the mariculture development programme now envisaged for Mulroy Bay?

Professor Wilson will give his opinion on the potential of harnessing tidal energy at Mulroy Bay. I welcome the Deputy's question and when I receive the report I will ensure his views on the mariculture development programme will be enjoined with the report in case further action is taken by the ESB.