Fianna Fáil has said that floating offshore wind developments have the potential to benefit Ireland economically and to power large parts of Europe from Ireland without carbon emissions.

The party's Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Climate Action, Timmy Dooley, has also called for the government to create a unit within the IDA which will coordinate the activity of all stakeholders involved in delivering floating offshore wind.

Senator Dooley said that it is "disheartening" that OPEC and other fossil fuel-dominant countries are "holding the world to ransom, but more can be done here in Ireland".

Mr Dooley recognises that are countries are progressing with floating offshore wind developments, including Scotland and other parts of Britain and Portugal who are embracing the opportunity. He said Ireland has been discussing the idea for some time "but in terms of actual flesh on the bones, we have been relatively slow to make progress".

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In a statement, Mr Dooley said: "We talk about bringing power onshore by 2032, but a lot has to happen. Infrastructure has to be built and port development has to take place. We have to build wind turbines and the platforms on which they will reside, well out into the Atlantic Ocean and I do not feel as though the level of co-ordination is there to make it happen. I appeal to the Government to look at embedding a unit within the IDA to co-ordinate this activity with all the stakeholders and interest groups to try to bring it to fruition. I am also conscious that, from a policy perspective, we need to move.

"A third phase of the future framework policy is scheduled for quarter 1 of 2024, and it is important that part of that will ensure the designation of the marine area plans be undertaken. In addition, I believe a 400 MW floating wind demonstrator, to be included in the renewable energy support scheme, should form a part of that phase. If we are to get to our target of bringing the power ashore by 2032, we will need to have taken steps well in advance of that."