MARA and offshore wind
Alan Farrell highlighted record wind generation and the need to secure supply chains for offshore development, asking about MARA. The Taoiseach referred the issue to the Housing Minister, who said the authority was established, a chair had been appointed, and the board would soon be in place.
Wind Energy Ireland issued its report this morning highlighting that 41% of the electricity required in January 2023 was driven by wind. It is the best January on record and is a 9% jump on this time last year. Predominantly offshore wind energy generated 1,479 GW of electricity which is equivalent to the consumption of 320,000 Irish homes. The wind energy potential of Ireland provides us with a huge opportunity but we are in a race with other countries to secure material supply routes among other things. The development of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, is crucial for our ability to scale up our offshore wind offering. The State has a commitment to get MARA up and running in 2023. I ask the Taoiseach to provide an update on the development of MARA. When will it begin its vital work?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Farrell for his question. He is right that it is a very important authority. It has been established and we have appointed the chairperson. The board will be appointed between this week and next. It will streamline the maritime area consent process, which is badly needed on the basis of ensuring that we can protect our maritime area, utilise the resources of our maritime area in a responsible way and harness the resource that is offshore renewable energy.