The Taoiseach has said the future is offshore. Investors were told to go west. We were all told the Atlantic coast would be the Saudi Arabia of wind energy.

Investors spent millions identifying sites off the west coast that were suitable for wind generation and sites where they could bring that energy ashore. This was all going to be part of phase 2. Very recently, the Department announced that phase 2 would be limited to two sites: one on the south-east coast and one on the south coast. No criteria were given as to why those sites were selected, notwithstanding that the decision benefits some investors over others. Equinor and Royal Dutch Shell left the market a long time ago. The remaining investors are feeling very startled by it all. The Taoiseach will know from his time in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that certainty and continuity are key requirements for investment. Instead, in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, they seem to be replaced by chaos and confusion. Will the Taoiseach confirm whether the announcement last week is Government policy, and can he offer any rationale for it?

I am not familiar with the exact announcement to which the Deputy refers. My information is that this matter is still under consideration by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. The future is offshore wind - west, south and east coast. That is what will secure our energy independence and energy security and energy price stability.

The west?

Yes. This needs to be plan-led, however. It should not be a free-for-all led by investors and developers; it should be plan-led. That is why it is important we have a plan, but it has to be the right plan.