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international levels that focused on issues of significance for Ireland, including climate and energy. I have since then established an offshore wind energy clearing house group, which brings together key players from the public and private sectors to tackle issues that are causing delays to the delivery

energy and gas with this. There is also the issue of nuclear power, which was suggested here. The Minister should look at that. We need to have options. While we are talking about regulation, I wonder about the regulations we have been promised for wind farms. We have … position as Minister, to take on board the views of this House, expressed by some, in relation to nuclear power, wind energy and the difficulties for the communities and applications that are there. I ask that these matters be addressed as soon as possible and for some sort

where many pensioners are afraid to turn on their heating, yet in 2024, for example, €450 million of renewable wind energy was wasted because of under-investment in our grid and our grid’s inability to take that energy due to capacity. That is an utter waste

also all of the skills that go with the digital agenda. We are entering an AI age. There is also the energy revolution with offshore wind and all of the opportunities that come with this. There are also healthcare and therapy needs, and we are scaling

them with increasingly regularity as they run out. We must ramp up our renewable energy programmes in Ireland. Renewable energy is energy security with solar and wind to replace oil and gas. Backed up by the Celtic interconnector, we can break free of a reliance on dwindling fuel

energy system we have today while we accelerate the transition to the system we need tomorrow. Gas safety is part of today's system but tomorrow's system must be built at speed, especially on renewables. Ireland has ambitious targets for offshore wind, and Government has repeatedly stated … renewed focus on delivery across renewables, particularly wind and solar, and specifically a step-change in momentum on offshore wind off the west coast. The last Minister for energy spent too much time tinkering around the edges and not enough time delivering solutions we need

mentioned by the Green Party and others. I just want them to be done. As long as they get done and we reduce energy costs, that is the most important thing. We lack a system of consistent and transparent cost-benefit and fiscal sustainability assessments when it comes … power in relation to State and semi-State bodies. As I have pointed out 100 times, a wind farm or solar farm cannot directly supply a nearby factory with energy, even if they are only metres apart, without going through the ESB or Eir. That need to change

energy in other parts of the country. Data centres along the east coast, for example, are putting enormous pressure on the grid. As a result, we are seeing a rapid and intense number of planning applications for gas-powered electricity generators, solar farms and wind turbines. Why should

Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the 27 actions detailed under the "Looking forward to 2025" section of the Offshore Wind Energy Programme Annual Review 2024 and Key Actions for 2025 published in June 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the ongoing work in his Department to update the national planning statement on wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on preparations to devise new wind energy guidelines for planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4953/26

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will put be an immediate moratorium on any wind turbine projects until updated wind energy regulations are established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5271/26

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new draft wind energy guidelines, due for publication next year, will address setback distances, shadow flicker and noise; the work has been carried out to address same with regard to these specific aspects

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Wind Energy Guidelines; when they will be updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3553/26

asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made in developing Foynes Port as a centre for the delivery of offshore wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73135/25

feasibility study, or request Uisce Éireann conduct such a study, into a proposal (details supplied) relating to complementarities between proposed infrastructure for wind energy and water supply in the west of Ireland, alongside communications infrastructure. [2177/26

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Wind Energy Guidelines will form part of the National Planning Statement; if it will be published Spring 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72814/25

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the wind energy guidelines being updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74376/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to replace the level of energy output from a wind farm (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74745/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of offshore wind infrastructure project proposals that have received no formal bids in relation to their construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74748/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of planned offshore wind farms; the stages of progression in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74746/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the decommissioning of a wind farm (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74744/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there are any further initiatives proposed by his Department to increase support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74749/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps taken when there are no bids in auctions related to the construction of offshore wind infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74747/25