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development of renewable energy and the mechanisms to enable us to do that. There is no doubt that Ireland is a wind energy success story, particularly in onshore wind, but because of a lot of controversy around locations in certain aspects that narrative does not often get told … more than 5 GW of installed wind capacity. That is half way to the State’s 2030 onshore climate action targets for renewable wind energy. The big challenge ahead is translating that into offshore wind and ensuring we reach our targets for the offshore wind agenda. That

austerity measures. Now, more than ever, we must prepare ambitious investment on housing, health, infrastructure and, crucially, green energy, especially offshore wind. Renewable energy has the potential to be a vital source of revenue and energy for our market. The development of offshore energy is our chance … import it from abroad. That is the choice. It is as simple as that. We can either harness the energy from wind or purchase it from abroad. The impact of these tariffs and how we react to them will affect our resources, but this must not distract from

Even so, Offaly has pushed ahead. While the just transition has faltered, we forged ahead with renewable energy. Ireland has made impressive goals in onshore wind, double the EU average, and Offaly … punched well above its weight. With just 2% of Ireland’s landmass and population we have delivered up to 7% of national wind energy output in recent months with over 1.5 GW of wind and solar projects are permitted or near permitted and with nearly

directive requires that we show those areas available for renewable energy and those that have the potential to be developed for renewable energy. The Deputy wants that which has already happened to be mapped. I do not see an issue with that. I will relate that message … community benefit fund. Many countries have spoken positively about the fact we have that community benefit dimension to our renewable strategies, particularly for wind energy. The Minister would be open to reviewing the community benefit fund. I am particularly interested in getting the mapping done

remaining in this slot on what we absolutely should be doing, which is investing in self-sufficiency in energy. Some 80% of our energy requirements come from imports. We should start making strategic investments in a big way to get rid of the requirement … hydrogen or through renewables. I mentioned in a number of debates in this House that it is not just about offshore and onshore wind energy; it is also about wave technology. We are ten years behind Demark and Scotland. We should be at the forefront and put some

maintaining and expanding our working harbours, supporting small-scale fishers or investing in other infrastructure. The blue economy - fishing, tourism, aquaculture, renewable energy, sea safety, trade and maritime defence - are neglected in this document. The draft framework needs clearer targets, named projects and guaranteed delivery in every county … becoming more dangerous, congested and inadequate every day. There are harbours that barely have water due to a lack of dredging. Developing offshore wind energy was spoken about, yet one cannot even get a punt out of a harbour. This draft lacks urgency, vision and a tangible plan

given a pretty good indication of whether it was a runner. That does not seem to happen anymore. Planning guidelines on wind energy are grossly outdated. I think they date back to 2008. They are not purposeful for the industry and they are not fit for purpose

rail connectivity to Ireland West Airport Knock. The Government has failed to increase grid infrastructure to harness the potential of renewable wind energy on the western seaboard. Water and sewerage treatment plants, such as the one in the town of Newport, have not been delivered. The lack

important to support a high renewable electricity system. This new modern capacity allows for the integration of a large volume of wind and solar energy projects that displace the need to run fossil fuel plants and thus reduce wholesale market prices. This capacity is procured through competitive auctions

competitiveness, as colleagues said earlier in their comments, we have to address the infrastructural deficits we have, develop our new energy resources with offshore wind, improve our water infrastructure and scale up housing provision and transport investment. I listened to the Taoiseach last week on “Morning Ireland” after

further from our climate goals, where the extra energy used by data centres is more than the extra renewable energy we have added to the grid through wind power since 2017, but is also driving household energy bills even higher. This is madness in the short, medium

greater focus on increasing our competitiveness, controlling costs where we can, delivering critical infrastructure and investment and, in particular, driving energy transformation by enabling offshore wind farms to be developed. The new programme for Government, which outlines our commitment to delivering for all people and regions across … productivity, with a focus on issues such as the cost and regulatory burden on business, research, development and innovation, planning and regulation, and energy costs. This will be an important plan, setting out how we can continue on our path of economic development, maintain our attractiveness for investment

family to the tune of approximately €250. Other companies will follow. We need an independent analysis of why Ireland has the second-highest energy costs in the European Union. Most of us practising politicians will understand why that is the case. We know we are still … reach our targets in respect of what former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar rightly said was our moonshot moment, that is, offshore wind generation. We can be more energy-efficient, we can meet our energy demands and we can be net exporters of energy if we do that

advice available to me in Government is that the pathway to advancing the supply is through renewables and offshore wind development. However, I will ask the Minister for energy to respond to the Deputy's proposal directly

absolutely committed to continuing the transition to renewable energy. We are making progress on that with onshore wind. We have created the infrastructure, which I set up in my previous Department under the marine planning Act and the creation of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. We have … bring forward proposals to Government shortly regarding the acceleration of the designated maritime area plan, DMAP, process. Ireland's future is with green energy. It will be good for our economy, climate and people. In the meantime, we have to make sure we prepare for events we cannot

Dáil Éireann: notes that: — Storm Éowyn made landfall in Ireland on 23rd January, 2025, breaking all-time record wind speeds; and — the scale of damage and disruption to transport, energy, water, telecommunications and internet services was unprecedented, exposing the fragility of our infrastructure, in the face

peat in our energy system. From June, there will be no coal in our energy system. We are accelerating the delivery of onshore renewables. We want to see more wind and solar onshore and substantially more renewables offshore. We will have a real opportunity in the years

policies in relation to renewable energy development, in particular the inclusion of regional, renewable electricity capacity allocations. This is in order to facility the accelerated roll-out and delivery of renewable electricity infrastructure for onshore wind and solar generation development. In addition to the related necessary grid development … play a key role in mitigating against climate change through the reduction of carbon emissions in sectors such as electricity, planning for renewable energy generating development and transport through the continued integration of land use and transport planning to support reduced commuting patterns and promotion of public transport

associates Texas with fossil fuels but it also has nuclear, wind, solar and battery storage. It is doing all five to facilitate participation in AI and what it considers to be the revolution in AI and the energy implications of all of that. I would … long-term implications of this. Solar is an important source and we put our eggs in the renewable basket, particularly offshore wind. We have done very well on onshore wind over the past three decades. Ireland is a leader in European on onshore wind. The challenge

opportunity to grow our economy and our society and potentially become an energy exporter. We are not 100 years away from that at all. We are looking at having the first of the offshore renewable wind farms up and running, potentially by the end of the decade

first offshore wind farms before 2030. That would take pressure off the onshore sector because there has been significant onshore development in Ireland, which is making a huge contribution to electricity generation. Ireland is under a lot of pressure on the energy question

under the renewable energy support scheme. The current €2 per MW/h is too diluted. There are too many small pots, too many committees and too little impact. The more infrastructure, the more complex it becomes when there is an overlap of a cluster of wind farms, in particular

justify why a staggering two thirds of applications for supports have been rejected, some without explanation? Will he explain why he attempted to wind up the scheme without a public announcement? Will he outline why only €6.8 million has been paid out in response … expansion of the scheme to businesses and farmers. We reiterate those calls tonight. The devastation was compounded by the failures to build an energy infrastructure fit for purpose over the years. Power outages are not rare in my constituency of Kerry. One resident has had 20 power cuts

Ireland; — reduce the reliance of corporation tax in Ireland's enterprise policy by investing in other competitive advantages, such as transport, housing, communications, energy, water and education infrastructure; — reduce input costs to businesses, such as electricity, property, banking, insurance, and other utility costs; — review non-human resource regulation … much exposed to the movement of FDI. Indigenous enterprise is stickier, less mobile and less likely to leave this country if the prevailing wind changes. Foreign direct investors are far more likely to leave. One of the other threats to this country concerns corporation taxes. Again, the Government

could at least have a bit of humility about the impacts of austerity and how it devastated this country. As the economic winds again change, he could also forgive people for being deeply concerned that we will see the reimposition of austerity in the form of cuts … years. She now spends at least 35% of her monthly income on rent and that is before she pays for utilities. Other energy costs are soaring. The cost of childcare is eye-watering. Families have to go to the private system to get care and assessments they need

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when new wind energy guidelines for offshore wind energy developments will be published; the reason for the delay with these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21149/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when new wind energy planning guidelines for onshore wind energy developments will be published; the reason for the delay with these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21148/25

Environment, Climate and Communications the Government’s long-term plan for ensuring a reliable and clean flexible power system to back up wind energy generation, particularly as Ireland continues to increase its dependence on wind power to meet climate targets. [18004/25

place between officials from his Department and officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to onshore and offshore wind energy projects planning guidelines to ensure their mutual compatibility in relation to, for example, noise, flicker and height to distance ratios

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the expansion of the offshore wind energy taskforce. [17284/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update regarding Ireland’s post-2030 wind energy strategy; if work is underway to develop a policy document in this regard; when he expects that work to be complete

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if she will consider exploring the feasibility of establishing a wind turbine trade school in the northwest to boost apprenticeships and employment in the green energy industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15207/25

Communications the total amount in subsidies that have been paid to support wind farm developments over each year for the past five years; if he plans to make changes to subsidies for the renewable energy sector in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement