In an effort to stop what one minister described as a "Klondike-style gold rush" by private developers in the offshore wind farm industry, the government has selected six places off the coast of the counties of Waterford, Wexford, and Galway for State-led offshore wind farms in the future.

Eamon Ryan, the leader of the Green Party and Minister for the Environment made the assertion when announcing the government's much anticipated Designated Maritime Area Plan.


At the Offshore Wind Conference in Dublin city, Mr. Ryan told reporters that it is crucial that the State manage the sector. The sites are anticipated to be the focus of early planning application processes over the summer.

"It's really important," stated Mr. Ryan.

"It's a state-led plan for resource development, instead of having developers claim this is their portion of the sea in a Klondike-style gold rush.

"These seas belong to the Irish people."