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important Bill. It provides for the regulation of large wind turbines and large wind farms. As someone who is in favour of developing wind energy and supports it, I believe we also need regulations on it. We need to do it in a practical, sensible and planned … Wind energy has an important part to play among our renewable energy sources, along with biogas, solar and multiple other sources. They all have to be used. There has been a failure by the Government to put regulations in place, or even to update the 2006 guidelines

loud choruses in this House asking why decisions on energy security were not taken. On renewables, everything we can do to accelerate offshore wind energy will be done. Previous Governments involving Fianna Fáil and other parties led the revolution on onshore wind in this country. We have

know the significant connection between climate change and biodiversity. Many of us have spoken here on the possibility for Ireland to be a wind energy superpower. We keep talking about it but the State has not done the necessary legwork to deliver it. I agree with Deputy Connolly

strategic infrastructure, especially in energy and digital networks. As a country possessed of renewable resources, particularly offshore wind, Ireland has an opportunity to become a key supplier of clean energy to Europe, provided we make the necessary investments in grid infrastructure and interconnections. Europe is not just

sustainable to have an 80% target for renewable energy by 2030 while also expecting a 40% increase in energy generation. Ultimately, because of the cost increases in wind, this will be pushed onto solar, which will destroy rural Ireland as far as I am concerned

respect of the impact of AI on our future energy needs, in particular, because it uses up an enormous amount of energy. That work is under way between the Department of climate and the Department of enterprise. The two Departments are working on that aspect of it. There … sensible debate on that in the House as well. The development in Arklow, using offshore wind as well and connecting up with an offshore provider in respect of the energy issue, was interesting. In response to Deputy McGrath, compact growth is the key to sustainable. We both

fossil fuel area. It is going to go big on solar, nuclear, wind and battery storage. There will be a mix for quite some time yet in the context of what energy we will use. I take Deputy O'Connor's point. What he is really referring … Some of the proposals that are coming our way might reflect that. We have not had a developer-led approach in respect of wind and offshore wind; it has been a planned approach. This is something we need to discuss with the Deputy again. Perhaps, however, the Minister

deepens, and the profits of big energy companies are also rising. We are watching the impacts of climate change in the world around us and the Government is not doing enough to address it. In April, we learned that 30 wind turbines off the coast of Galway will … challenging market conditions in the offshore wind sector as a reason not to proceed. Who is to say that other projects such as this will not collapse? What is the Government doing about it? LNG is not a cost-effective energy source, apart from the environmental damage involved

generating energy in a sustainable way and I am ambitious for what we can do. I believe we can be a leader and part of that is infrastructure, capacity on the grids, storage capacity, but also capital infrastructure that is needed to maintain the offshore wind farms. Greenore

delivers several important changes. The expansion of access to the insolvency payment scheme to include employees of employers who ceased trading without formally winding up their business is significant and must be welcomed. I am happy to note the Bill will also provide a new statutory process … living crisis. The cost of living extends to people trying to be able to afford their groceries and trying to pay their energy bills. We know that almost a half a million people are behind with their energy bills at present. It is distressing to see that

retail and hospitality sectors, have consistently raised concerns about the cumulative impact of such measures in light of rising labour, input and energy costs. Research, including research by my Department, has shown that firms in the retail, accommodation and food services sectors were likely to be more impacted … important changes. Most importantly, it will expand access to the insolvency payments scheme to include employees of employers who cease trading without formally winding up their business. This situation is sometimes called informal insolvency. The Bill will provide a new statutory process for such employees to apply

will provide the status as promised on the intentions of Government to bring forward new guidelines to replace the 2006 guidelines on wind energy; if further changes to the planning process are being considered in respect of the need to ensure that the views and concerns of local

grid-led and even growth approach, if he will confirm the specific setback distance from sensitive receptors was applied in the analysis for wind energy; if he will clarify which body or authority confirmed that such a setback distance would ensure the protection of population human health

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the commitment to provide a timeline for publication of the wind energy guidelines 2025; to provide an update; to provide a timeline for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27825/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the delayed wind energy guidelines will be published; the reason for the continue delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27493/25

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on when the new wind energy guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24029/25

Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide the commissioning date and the annual energy output for the renewable electricity support scheme wind farm projects (details supplied) located in County Offaly, broken down by quarter, for each year since commissioning; the community benefit