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mean a much greater need for energy. It will be energy intensive. Data centres are going to be important in that regard. Offshore wind energy is critical for this. That is why I have convened a clearing house, involving industry and the Government, to deal with macro issues … take that long. On nuclear, we may very well import nuclear through various connectors. We are putting a lot of funding into wind energy, offshore wind in particular, and some onshore wind and some solar. It is interesting. There are people who have come

regard to wind and solar energy development. From a planning perspective, the programme for Government contains commitments to prioritise the publication of the wind energy development guidelines and to introduce new planning guidelines for solar energy development. With regard to the wind energy development guidelines, the review … aims to strike an appropriate balance between addressing the concerns of local communities by ensuring there is greater and earlier community engagement by wind energy developers. While the review of the guidelines has been ongoing for years – it has been going on too long - significant progress has been

will change again at the end of September, and it is time for it to be reformed. I am a supporter of wind energy and of solar, biogas, hydrogen and hydro energy. We need to use all the renewable sources we have. According to the answer … balance works out at a positive of €549 million. The companies involved are highly profitable. We were told that when we had wind energy and renewable energy, particularly wind energy, it would be a lot cheaper. That has not turned out to be the case. It has turned

today we have the most expensive electricity in all of Europe. That happened not by accident but by design. When it came to wind energy, it was all about the profits of the few, the insiders. Communities saw turbines popping up around them. These turbines should ensure electricity … that hill; half of them are switched off during the day because we do not have the electricity infrastructure to avail of wind energy. What was it about? It was about making profits for the people who developed those wind farms, not about reducing costs for our people

unacceptable that the review of wind energy guidelines has taken several years. It is a dereliction of duty from the Government while these developments are causing such unease in our communities. We all recognise that this is something that will never be perfect. There will always be controversial … place that regulates where these developments should be located so that the impact on communities can be minimised as much as possible. The wind energy guidelines are from 2006. They are totally out of date and have not kept up with the technological advances that we have

Deputy and provide him with information. As regards the guidelines, we cannot ignore the fact that at times 40% of our energy is being provided by wind. Wind … great success and it is really part of the transfer from fossil fuel to a more appropriate fuel that is at the forefront, wind energy

they are talking about renewable energy. We are talking about health implications. Do Members know that when wind turbines are turned off, the wind energy company gets more money than through funds from Government than it receives when the turbines are turned on per the contracts they have

account. In the longer term, we must end our reliance on imported energy - 80% of energy is imported. There is significant offshore wind energy potential in Limerick. We have the deep port at Foynes and the potential to improve our electricity grid to make ourselves an energy-independent

believe in the transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner and renewable energy still recognise that gas will be that transition fuel for quite some time, recognising that the wind does not blow … time and the sun does not shine all the time. Last Friday, I launched the Government's next wave of offshore wind energy proposals. We are starting the process of developing a designated marine plan around our coastline which will identify sites suitable for fixed-bottom and floating

major structural changes required to tap renewable energy in one of the countries most rich in it? Not only do we have offshore wind energy farms lying vacant all along our coast, but we also have ones like the foreknown Sceirde Rocks project in Connemara being cancelled earlier … energy credits and emergency supports is welcome but until we have a Government that is serious about creating structural changes in our climate and economic systems, we will have more motions and debates like this one, and the Irish people will still be left in the cold wind

strategic infrastructure, which means they go straight to An Bord Pleanála. There is an influx of applications for wind farms across the country. Wind energy guidelines were produced in 2006. In June 2013, Deputy Micheál Martin stood in front of Enda Kenny here and told him that

substation in west Limerick in order to allow the company to sell its clean energy to the grid. We are talking about an energy crisis, and the ESB is looking for €3.8 million. During the first part of the meeting on the matter, the ESB looked … State sit over there knowing that this is happening in respect of solar farms throughout the country? I am in favour of wind energy in circumstances where the health implications are taken into account. I am for solar energy because it can have a dual use. In fact

turbine regulations and guidelines. Where are they? I am raising this in the House for the past 14 years. We need to utilise wind energy. It is very important that we do that as part of the move towards green energy. However, we do not have … date guidelines, never mind regulations, for large turbines. Every Minister for planning and energy has promised them over the past 14 years. Communities are highlighting this throughout the country. In Laois, large turbines are planned to be erected right across the south of the county. These are massive

concern and are very divisive. They are all being led by private investors. To give a few examples, in Athenry, Bord Gáis Energy is proposing to build the Cashla peaker plant 2.5 km from Athenry town. This is an open-cycle gas turbine plant with a capacity … massively from them. The Government is failing communities due to the absence of a plan-led approach with regard to these developments. The wind energy development guidelines are completely out of date. We are told that solar guidelines are starting to be developed, but there is little information

recognise the expertise this State has garnered in offshore and onshore wind energy and indeed solar. I was at the launch of the Timahoe North Solar Farm in Kildare only three weeks ago, an excellent facility that will provide energy to a significant number of people in Kildare

raises regularly. I think the Deputy and I agree on this but it is certainly my position and that of the Government that wind energy is a good thing. Renewable energy is a good thing. The health consequences of not having good clean renewable energy far outweigh other

because I have heard them in my constituency. I am also advocating on behalf of my constituents. They want to see the new wind energy guidelines published as soon as possible. The delay has been completely unacceptable. I referred to that in my opening statement. When the guidelines

locally based enterprises such as the Aran Island Energy Co-operative, which is working towards making the Aran Islands self-sufficient for energy by harnessing wind, wave and light. These are all supported under my Department’s policies. They are about transforming communities, offering opportunity and hope, inspiring … transition and deliver on climate action targets. This includes ensuring social enterprises can access relevant circular economy funding opportunities and avail of renewable energy and bioeconomic opportunities. The fourth objective, in respect of national and international engagement, will focus on actions that will develop and deepen our engagement

addition to our support for the renewable energy sector, particularly with wind and solar, we are also enhancing our support for biogas. The Deputy will know that the Government has a strategy on that. We will see seven or eight projects in the very near future coming into … growing with significant demands. We want to move away from using gas to generate electricity. We want to capture more of the renewable energy off our shoreline and utilise biogas as an appropriate means to further displace the importation of fossil fuels

Wind generation is supported mainly through the legacy renewable energy feed-in tariff, REFIT, schemes and the renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, and funded also through public service obligations, PSO. These supports are a critical enabler of the investment needed to underpin a renewables-led energy system. Over

onshore wind in Dún Laoghaire but there are two particular projects in the Dublin Array and the Codling Wind Park that will deliver a lot, not just in clean energy but also for the facilities onshore and the use of Dún Laoghaire Harbour to help deliver that

publication of the national DMAP proposal and accompanying public participation statement. That national DMAP will ultimately designate renewable energy sites around Ireland’s coast that are suitable for offshore wind development, including fixed, floating and floating demonstration locations. The proposal set out information on the scope

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total capacity output available under existing wind generation schemes; the projected output if all wind farms currently at various stages of the planning system were to come to fruition; and if he will make

Deputy is ignoring the great work being done on securing renewable energy in this country. As of last February, 48% of Ireland's power was powered by onshore wind. They are facts the Deputy simply cannot ignore. The Deputy also talked about how we need to ensure there

renewable energy by 2030 and we are currently nowhere near that. I do not think anyone looking at it could possibly expect that we will ever reach it, in light of the way it is happening at the moment. We need offshore and onshore wind turbine projects started … provide the services when we do get that far. We have huge problems in respect of our infrastructure. We are reliant on importing energy as the Government fails to develop our own energy independence. This has resulted in Ireland's consumers paying the highest energy prices

there are specific development guidelines for the development of large-scale fossil-fuel-bio-fuel powered energy projects similar to the 2006 wind energy guidelines (details supplied); if not, whether his Department have any plans to develop or draft guidelines for such developments; and if he will make

Government and Heritage if his Department has any plans to develop or draft development guidelines for solar energy projects similar to the 2006 wind energy guidelines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46392/25

there are specific development guidelines for the development of large-scale fossil-fuel-bio-fuel powered energy projects similar to the 2006 wind energy guidelines (details supplied); if not, whether his Department have any plans to develop or draft guidelines for such developments; and if he will make

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on offshore wind energy projects off the Dublin coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47459/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide an update on offshore wind energy projects off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47437/25

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise when updated wind energy guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51317/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total capacity output available under existing wind generation schemes; the projected output if all wind farms currently at various stages of the planning system were to come to fruition; and if he will make

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will intervene to oppose plans for wind turbines in east Clare (details supplied); if aviation authorities have been formally consulted in his Department’s mapping exercise; and, if not, if east Clare will

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on plans to deliver onshore and offshore wind power and solar power in a sustainable way and on engaging with the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps being taken to drive the delivery of Ireland's offshore wind targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49289/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has developed or holds any strategic mapping or spatial planning data identifying areas where wind farms are viable; if so, whether such maps are available to the public; and if he will make

Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proposed timeline for auctions for the delivery of the three other sites identified in the designated maritime area plan, which are not included in the Tonn Nua offshore wind auction; and if he will make