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staff for bringing forward this important motion. I particularly want to share my concern that despite a target of 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, no offshore wind projects have been delivered. Ireland has huge potential to become a global leader in wind energy, particularly through … plenty of work here. Surely fishing towns in Donegal such as Killybegs and Greencastle would be prime spots in which to develop offshore wind energy, but once again, we have been held back by a lack of infrastructure. In a session of the Joint Committee on Fisheries

this really has to be the catalyst for us moving to renewables. I was shocked to hear that we used to produce more wind energy than we do now. As I said in this Chamber recently, if people go to the west coast, they will nearly be blown … over. Therefore, I am at a loss as to why we do not have more wind energy. The programme for Government indicates that the Government wants to deliver at least 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, and there are greater ambitions

Following on from constructive discussions at the Government industry forum on offshore renewable energy that I hosted last July, I established the offshore wind energy clearing house. The offshore wind energy clearing house is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach and members include … Climate, Energy and the Environment; Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; and so forth; and representatives from Wind Energy Ireland, Marine Renewables Industry Association, Renewable Energy Ireland and NOW Ireland. Its first meeting was in September last year and we have

There is no question that Ireland and the world have experienced one of the most significant energy shocks in decades. As discussed earlier, there are no fully operational offshore wind farms in Ireland, one of the windiest countries in the world, after decades of underinvestment and deprioritisation … including those the Taoiseach has been involved with. It has been a gross dereliction of duty to Ireland's energy security that offshore wind energy has not been more urgently developed. The Government's approach to wind energy, as it is to everything, is to rely on foreign

cost-of-living crisis underlines the need to get to 100% renewable energy as quickly as possible. For Ireland, that means developing offshore wind. It is quite incredible that … past 20 years, successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments have been in power and have failed to add any offshore wind energy to the grid. We have less offshore wind energy today than we did 20 years ago, despite all the talk of climate crisis

need renewable wind resources but why is it the Government has given away all of the sites to private companies? When the wind energy and our marine resources are developed for wind energy, we get nothing from it. We are giving to international consortiums. Even the French state … will own more of the wind produced off the east coast of Ireland than the people of Ireland will because the Government has given away the sites to the French state energy company. I seriously worry what the Government's motives and objectives are here. I would like

roads; — Ireland is a world leader in electricity generation from renewables which has increased fivefold since 2005, and that in February 2026 wind energy provided a record 50 per cent of the State's electricity; — Ireland has now reached a record circa 8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable generation … fivefold since 2005. We have now reached approximately 8 GW of renewable generation capacity, up significantly from 2020 levels. In February this year, wind energy provided a record 50% of the State’s electricity. The Government is prioritising offshore wind, with five phase one projects currently progressing through

binding target of a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. At last, Ministers are accepting that. The Government has failed to develop offshore wind energy, anaerobic digestion and hydrogeneration, and it is only starting with solar. This means just not climate and environmental damage but also economic damage … fracked gas terminals and all sorts of dodgy mining will be made easy. Instead, the Government should speed up the delivery of offshore wind energy, wave energy, anaerobic digestion which it has completely ignored, hydro which it has completely ignored, and solar which is only moving

wholesale exclusion of carbon intensive projects from scrutiny under the Climate Action Act; — despite a target of 5 gigawatts (GW) of new offshore wind energy by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan, no new offshore wind projects have been delivered, and the projects currently planned amount to less … better able to protect their own people from the worst of the energy price spike. In Spain, renewable energy now generates 50% of the country's electricity coming from wind, hydro, and, increasingly, from solar. Spain has seen dramatic growth in the use of solar power

also small and medium-sized businesses. When I talk to the owners of small and medium-sized businesses about the pressures they face, energy costs are right up there and nowhere near enough is being done. What is happening with renewables is incredibly frustrating. We could have … most countries across Europe to rising oil and gas prices because of the Government's failure. Companies that have looked to invest in wind energy, particularly floating offshore wind, have taken their resources and invested elsewhere because the pace is so slow here. The Government

Those provisions would need to be replaced as a first step if we were to plan for the introduction of domestic nuclear fission energy generation. The reality is that, as things stand today, it is not clear to us that public opinion is in favour of removing those … conscious, in my daily life as a representative of the people of Clare, of the pushback that is currently in existence regarding wind energy and the permissions for wind turbines. They are hotly contested, objected to in every possible way and then taken to judicial review

energy system. Renewable electricity generation has increased five-fold since 2005. Ireland has now reached approximately 8 GW of renewable generation capacity while wind energy supplied a record 50% of the State’s electricity in February 2026. The Government is prioritising offshore wind, with five phase 1 projects … billion ACRES. In respect of data centres, the Government’s position has been clear. We will focus on sustainable development of strategically significant energy-intensive industries, including data centres, through the Large Energy-User Action Plan published only this year and in alignment with Ireland’s broader Government

have all been in here previously talking about the absolute necessity of using wind energy. We need to see major moves as regards offshore wind. Where is the clearing house in relation to where the deficits lie and in terms of Belfast Port being the only port that

delivered by renewables. We have reached a milestone of 8 GW of onshore renewable electricity generation. We have more than doubled our wind energy capacity in just ten years. I mentioned last month's record 50% of our renewable electricity generation. We are now also prioritising the development

Irish people regarding our energy security and help with surging costs. At the moment, while we have huge amounts of solar and wind energy, the grid cannot take it. The Minister of State is well aware of this. I welcome the fact that we had a meeting

need a green energy revolution. We need to stop burning imported oil, gas and fracked gas and to move to domestic solar and wind energy. We need to make this as accessible for people as possible, which is why we have put forward solar for all proposals

welcome the establishment of the offshore wind energy clearing house. This shows how important the Government thinks energy security is and how important it is that we achieve it. As we all know, Ireland is dangerously exposed when it comes to energy. We are still far too reliant … volatility to stability. Offshore wind is, as the Taoiseach will be aware, central to the transition, but we must match ambition with delivery. There are huge opportunities for Ireland to scale up. Will the clearing house be expanded to look at all renewable energy options, including

that oil and gas are here for decades to come. Even if we speed up reducing our dependence and increasing the development of wind energy, wave energy and the rest, we will still have to use oil and gas for at least this generation if not the next

government in this area. We have been to the fore on renewable energy in my county and we have delivered. We generated more energy in January alone than any other county. However, we cannot take it for granted that there will be continuous buy-in from communities … just investing in the likes of jerseys and scoreboards in local sporting clubs. If that is not sorted out and clarified and wind energy guidelines provided, we are going to lose the people on this one. That is my concern. I ask the Minister and Government to prioritise

appreciate Minister of State is here but I thought the Minister for energy would be before us today because the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, is before us every day of the week on every issue. He will soon become Taoiseach of the country. He had a great … people but those who are drilling out there - and then put in our renewables. Where are our wind energy and solar panels? If it costs €20,000, you get €1,800 back in a grant. We are not on the real planet here. We are out of touch

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29768/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29770/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29773/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30323/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29036/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the development of offshore wind energy projects including, Codling Wind Park, Dublin Array and Arklow Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23606/26

asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on development of offshore wind capacity; the status of the offshore wind energy programme; progress on developments on the Wicklow and Wexford coastlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27633/26

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of the development of the offshore wind energy marine planning guidelines being prepared under section 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (as amended); the expected timeline for publication the extent of stakeholder

Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress being made to date on the development of offshore wind energy potential; if sites are being identified; the infrastructure and regulatory impediments that remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Meara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the initiatives he is taking to ensure greater public support for onshore wind energy generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27337/26

Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the current progress on the Government strategy to develop offshore wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27458/26

Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any initiative within his Department that seeks to prioritise the fast-tracking of offshore wind energy infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25390/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29768/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29770/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29773/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30323/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29036/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29039/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30357/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30492/26

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30496/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30526/26

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29184/26

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach the progress made by the Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House. [25664/26

asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that have a dedicated ‘Local Authority Renewable Strategy or Wind Energy Strategy’ as part of their County Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27091/26

taking to protect prime agricultural land in Offaly and nationally from conversion to non-food production uses such as solar, wind or other renewable energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25102/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of wind farms and their installed capacity supported by the Government’s renewable electricity feed-in tariff scheme and the alternative energy requirement support scheme in each of the years from

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of wind farms and their installed capacity which, having reached the end of their contracts, exited the Government’s renewable electricity feed-in-tariff scheme and the alternative energy requirement support scheme in each

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the strategy for the recycling of wind turbines in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the Offshore Wind Delivery taskforce; the breakdown of all of the times the taskforce met since its inception; the dates these meetings took place, in tabular form; who was in attendance