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thank the Minister of State. I have no doubt about the value of offshore wind energy to local communities, particularly, where it is being landed onshore, and about the benefits it brings. I am aware of the community benefit funds, which the Minister of State mentioned. Two major … community. I am aware that it is working hard on the development of information. There is a lot of misinformation about wind energy, particularly offshore wind energy, and about the environmental benefits and clean energy generated. Can we put measures in place that empower locally elected representatives

reducing Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels, taking the necessary steps to ensure Ireland's long-term energy security and unlocking opportunities for economic growth. Quickly developing a vibrant offshore wind sector is central to this objective. This task requires the collective skills and effort of the public … make the most of this opportunity. Following on from successful discussions at the Government industry forum last July, I have established an offshore wind energy clearing house with the aim of tackling barriers to the timely delivery of offshore wind energy. This clearing house provides a forum where

support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities. This is being done in ongoing consultation with all stakeholders in the development of offshore wind energy generation. This includes our local coastal communities and our valued fishing sector, which the Department recognises as crucial to the enduring success … offshore wind energy. The Department is committed to ongoing engagement with the fisheries sector under Ireland’s plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy, ORE, development. The seafood and offshore renewable energy working group provides a forum to facilitate constructive engagement on the interaction between the seafood

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the provision of wind energy; the targets for its provision in 2026; whether there are sufficient resources in place to ensure that offshore wind energy can be on-shored

Will the Minister provide an update on the provision of wind energy; the targets for its provision in 2026; whether there are sufficient resources in place to ensure that offshore energy can be onshored; and any other infrastructural deficits that need to be dealt with from the point … view of delivering on the wind energy promise

that basket over the past decade and is continuing to do so. In 2023, Ireland was ranked second in the world in onshore wind energy generation. I am not too sure that is appreciated even in Ireland. We will continue to build on that. The programme for Government … includes a commitment to 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar energy and 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030. These are very challenging targets. On the question of hydrogen, some progress has been made, although there is a degree of scepticism as to the timeline

critical to meet our climate objectives but also for reasons of energy security. The Taoiseach might outline further the work of the offshore wind energy clearing house. There are concerns we will not meet our offshore renewable targets originally set for 2030 but if we can meet them … there is further progress on the private wires Bill, when we can see a direct connection between the generator of energy, be it a wind farm, solar farm, homes, a factory or digital infrastructure, that will be extremely welcome as well. I would be grateful for an update

local authorities as part of the city and county development plan process, which may incorporate a local authority renewable energy strategy or a wind energy strategy. The SEAI is undertaking an update to the 2013 local authority renewable energy strategy methodology. This provides a robust, evidence-based

each from wind and solar. At the moment, we supply 11% of the country's power. Last month, Offaly was the largest wind energy provider in the country. That is a very significant national contribution. Yet, Offaly remains 10% below the national average for disposable income

send a message to the energy companies that their ongoing profiteering is not acceptable. Government needs to send that message. A report on wind energy was published this week. It stated that energy generation costs for the State are over €1.5 billion. Again, where are households and businesses

create thousands of secure, well-paid jobs across the island. Successful projects like the Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy, which is a partnership with Wind Energy Ireland, that address critical skills gaps in the offshore sector should be replicated to provide permanent career paths for young people struggling

Bhí mé ag éisteacht leis an díospóireacht anseo agus an méid a bhí ráite maidir le fuinneamh gaoithe go háirithe. Wind energy as it applies to coastal communities, in particular, is such an important aspect of our drive to meet the targets that are so often spoken about

lives, even though many in the House at the time disagreed with him on the measures he took. Deputy O'Hara spoke about wind energy guidelines. I will engage with the Minister. I am hoping he will have those by the end of the year. I will come … pressure on that unit in the Department in respect of the exemptions from planning guidelines, rural housing guidelines and onshore wind guidelines. I do not have the specifics for Deputy Ó Murchú. I know he has raised the communal heating system

more recent times, the inflationary costs in supply chains have increased somewhat. There have been negative challenges because of US policy towards wind energy and its impact on some of the companies. However, we are progressing. We are putting in a huge effort. I spoke to the Minister … task force also. The industry has been reassured about the Government's commitment to really getting the first couple of offshore wind platforms going, certainly from 2030 onwards. That is key. The private wires Bill is progressing. It is important legislation and I look forward to it coming

vital, no matter how far behind target we are, that we ensure we get back on track. We are hearing about an accelerating wind energy task force and the Taoiseach's clearing house. That all sounds wonderful. I just hope it does a better job than an awful

want to raise the ongoing review of the 2006 wind energy guidelines. Revised guidelines have been promised for many years at this stage, as the Taoiseach is aware. In my constituency, and particularly in the north Galway area, we are facing a huge number of developments in communities

committed to building Ireland's energy resilience and ending energy poverty. We are working at speed to roll out more renewable energy infrastructure, onshore and offshore wind and solar panels. This is already helping to bring down the cost of electricity and is a long term solution … meet expenses, including those who face difficulties with fuel bills. The Government is working at speed to roll out more renewable energy infrastructure, onshore and offshore wind and solar panels. This is already helping to bring down the cost of electricity and is the long term solution

private wires legislation will undermine climate obligations by diverting energy. We have seen in the past few years the increase from wind and the new energy coming onto the system, but it is all being gobbled up by the data centres and other large energy users. A fundamental … Government and people are making in the context of onshore and offshore energy. One Minister even admitted that the Government has been sitting on its hands and navel gazing when it comes to offshore wind. We do not want that to happen

thank the Deputy for his question. Onshore wind is the largest contributor to renewable energy generation capacity in Ireland, with approximately 5.1 GW of wind generation capacity installed. The Government is committed to achieving 9 GW of installed onshore wind capacity. Onshore wind remains Ireland’s dominant source

records in homeless numbers are set every quarter. The Government says it is pumping billions of euro into capital in energy development and yet all offshore wind farms in this country lie idle. The people of this country are not fools. They know someone is misleading them. They

Dublin sometimes. I am a firm believer in investment in renewable energy. We are way behind where we could be. We have the potential to create 37 GW of offshore wind by 2050 and possibly another 15 GW of onshore wind and solar. That is before we even

last week, which are fully compliant with EU regulations. We need battery storage to deploy our energy at the right times. We need more renewables. We need onshore and offshore wind and onshore solar, or else we will continue importing gas from third countries

Deputy knows. However, the advancement of renewables is critical to our energy security and to reaching our climate targets. The Deputy has rightly stated that any application that goes in for a wind farm, a solar farm or a biomethane plant is dealt with independently of the Government … honest with people too, as the Deputy is being, that solar will continue to expand and is a very good source of clean energy for our country. It will reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuel as well and will ensure that we become energy-sovereign

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any further initiatives proposed by his Department to increase the support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13792/26

offshore wind by 2030. I acknowledge the challenges in ramping up our offshore wind, but we already have excess capacity at peak times that cannot be used. If this were used, it could push energy prices down and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels further in terms

Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of health-related statements currently published on Wind Energy Ireland’s website (details supplied); if she will confirm whether the quotation accurately reflects her Departments official position and the current scientific and public health evidence … base; if her Department has authorised or approved the use of this statement in public communications by Wind Energy Ireland, given that her Department has previously contacted Wind Energy Ireland regarding health messaging; and if she will make a public statement clarifying her Department’s position in order

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the provision of wind energy; the targets for its provision in 2026; whether there are sufficient resources in place to ensure that offshore wind energy can be on-shored

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the methodology used to attribute wind energy generation to individual counties, including the way in which generation is assigned where wind farms span more than one local authority area or where output is reported at regional

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total annual electricity generation from wind energy, in megawatt-hours or gigawatt-hours, attributable to each county in the State for each of the past five years, the data source used; and if he will

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reliance on gas as a backup for intermittent wind energy generation; the projected costs to Irish households for maintaining this backup infrastructure up to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter

will confirm whether, and on what date, her Department and the HSE were made aware of a submission to the 2019 Draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines by a group of acousticians (details supplied); which offices were informed, including the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, the Climate Unit

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on wind energy guidelines; the reason for the delay to publications; the dates on which his officials consulted /met with the Department of Climate; Energy and the Environment to discuss them; the other

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the development of wind energy planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9013/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current status of port infrastructure development required to support offshore renewable energy, including offshore wind marshalling capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9580/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether grid congestion, delays in renewable energy connections and gaps in offshore wind infrastructure delivery have been assessed in terms of their impact on electricity costs for households and businesses; and if he will make

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the cumulative offshore wind generation capacity that is consented, planned or in development; the proportion dependent on grid or port infrastructure that is not yet operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of offshore wind turbines that are functional at present; if he will provide the most up to date figure for operational offshore wind capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of operational wind turbines in each county in the State, by county for each of the past five years, and the total land area of each county in square kilometres, including the source

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of offshore wind projects that have received maritime area consent but have not progressed due to port, grid or supply chain constraints; the estimated generation capacity involved, in tabular form; and if he will

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the contribution of onshore wind farms to reducing electricity prices for consumers in rural areas like County Offaly; if alternatives such as biomass will be prioritised to avoid over-reliance on wind; and if he will

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the percentage of energy used in 2025 that was generated by indigenous wind power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14524/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the full delivery chain required for offshore wind deployment; the elements presenting the greatest delivery risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9711/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated grid connection timelines for offshore wind projects currently in the development pipeline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9734/26

Transport the current heavy lift capacity, quay length and laydown space available across Irish ports for offshore renewable energy construction; the way in which this compares with projected offshore wind deployment requirements to 2030, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9718/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the allocation of community benefit funds from wind farm projects in County Offaly in 2025; the way these funds are distributed to affected residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7559/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for the delivery of offshore wind that will be delivered by end of this decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14621/26

Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to confirm that his attention has been drawn to the HSE’s 2017 Position Paper on Wind Turbines and Public Health being withdrawn; to outline when, if at all, his Department engaged with

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any further initiatives proposed by his Department to increase the support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13792/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 298, 301 and 302 of 10 February 2026, whether his Department has undertaken a delivery risk assessment of the 5 GW offshore wind target for 2030 in light of the anticipated

wind turbines and public health; the terms of reference governing this review; the expertise represented on the review group, including public health and environmental noise specialists; and when these details will be published, in order to support public confidence and planning certainty for renewable energy infrastructure