The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, and the Tanaiste and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Eamon Gilmore TD, today welcomed the announcement of the next stage of offshore wind and tidal energy development off the coast of Northern Ireland. This was made possible by the recent Memorandum of Understanding agreed by the UK and Irish Governments, with the support of the Northern Ireland Executive, which provides clarity to potential investors on marine jurisdictional issues.
Welcoming the news, the Secretary of State said:
The Memorandum of Understanding reached by the two Governments with the support of the Northern Ireland Executive paves the way for the development of wind and tidal energy off the coast of Northern Ireland, which will bring significant economic and environmental benefits to Northern Ireland.
The Tanaiste remarked:
This once again demonstrates the economic benefits that close co-operation between the two Governments and the Executive can bring to this island.
Note to Editors:
Read the Memorandum of Understanding. You can read full details of the next stage of the Leasing Round, facilitating offshore wind and tidal energy development off the coast of Northern Ireland.