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energy prices for ordinary families. That is something this Government needs to contend with as well. Around Dungarvan, we are also seeing multiple wind energy developments proposed in the hills and countryside. The applications are coming in one after the other, while our national wind energy guidelines

only project, the small-scale renewable electricity support scheme provides a fixed 15-year tariff for the development of smaller scale solar and wind energy projects up to 6 MW. This tariff is set by the Minister. However, such export projects are not eligible for the separate

Absolutely, and we are all focused on bringing through more renewable energy. Offshore wind is vital. Our issue on this side of the House is that the renewable energy we are creating at the moment is being gobbled up by data centres. We also know the impact this

government to implement climate mitigation measures. Ireland is at the forefront of transitioning to an electricity system dominated by variable renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and we have achieved record-breaking levels of renewable electricity generation, reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Most notably … power system to enhance its renewable integration capabilities. The electricity system in Ireland can operate with up to 75% wind and solar at any given moment. The International Energy Agency, IEA, recognised this achievement as remarkable and a global milestone. Ireland currently has over 8 GW of renewable

would accelerate the move towards electric vehicles that can be powered more by the grid. At the moment, some of the energy produced by wind is going to waste because we do not have the capacity to store it. We are so dependent on gas as the baseline … homes rather than having to switch off, like so many houses do at the moment, especially when it is tied to an Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, grant. We need to think about the big picture, but this motion is about the small or more immediate picture

risk. Data centres now guzzle nearly half of our renewable energy production. Meanwhile, we are, right now, decommissioning our only offshore wind farm, the greatest renewable energy resource that we have. This Government is fuelling its own climate and energy disaster and putting an existential economic, environmental

midlands and provides significant employment in the area. Offaly, Laois and the entire area is also becoming a potentially very significant energy hub, particularly for onshore wind, battery storage and so on. There is also rewilding and the placement of national parks potentially in the future, which

need to address why our energy is so expensive in the first place. Everyone in the House knows what we need to do, that is, rapidly scale up renewable generation. We are miles and miles off target for our offshore wind generation. We are doing well on solar … simultaneously help us electrify transport, decarbonise industry or move households away from fossil fuels. Almost all new renewable energy that is being generated onshore in this country through wind and solar is being gobbled up by data centres. It is affecting our efforts to decarbonise elsewhere

connected into the grid and we would be supplying half of Europe with cheap energy because of the investment we were going to make into offshore wind. This Government and the previous Government have missed two, if not three, targets for offshore wind at this point and will … generate a single kilowatt of offshore wind until the early 2030s. That is the position we are in, yet energy bills climb continuously without any respite. We were also told we could expect a retrofitting revolution, that homes would be warmer and cheaper to heat and those

renewable generation to match demand at the time it occurs. This is important because wind and solar generation levels vary depending on the time of day and the weather. By contrast, data centre energy demand is hugely inflexible … requires a highly reliable electricity supply around the clock. A company could satisfy an annual renewable energy requirement while still relying on fossil fuel generation for significant periods when wind and solar output is low. That distinction matters. Ireland's electricity system already faces constraints in integrating increasing

with the Deputy on both fronts. I think we all agree that we need to invest more in renewable energies. We need to invest more in offshore wind and in solar of all types, not just on land but on roofs and on our public sector and service … approved and more applications are coming in. It is important that we get that balance right. We all support the expansion of renewable energy. We know we need more of it given all of the discussion we have had this morning on fuel prices, the increase in prices

repeatedly, a rich country that unfortunately feels so poor for far too many. The price of energy is at the heart of that. Leaving aside the delayed development of offshore wind, our so-called moonshot moment, where has that gone? We were supposed to be generating much more … offshore wind than we have at the moment. In fact, the targets have remained unmet on at least two or three occasions and the goalposts are shifting all of the time. The answers are there in terms of a renewable and retrofitting revolution but this Government does

thank the Minister for his response. He spoke about renewable energy. The Port of Galway presently handles about 20% of Ireland's onshore wind development components. Unfortunately, the Port of Galway has been judged by its existing tonnage capability rather than what it can achieve and will achieve

electricity so far this year has been generated through clean renewable sources. We have doubled our wind capacity in ten years and solar is a major part of our energy mix now as well. That said, however, large energy user demand has to be managed in a planned

Finance, Deputy Simon Harris, last night, he once again turned his back on this common-sense solution. This Government seems determined to let energy companies away with it and to let them cash in while workers, families and pensioners pay the price. The cost of extracting gas from … that we maintain a pricing system where the price of electricity generated from wind and solar is driven up by the price of gas. When gas prices rise, consumers pay more for all electricity. Energy companies are making a killing while households are getting absolutely hammered. Even yesterday

should be a workable arrangement for renters. There needs to be proper discussion of battery storage in the House. Before recess, I invited Energy Storage Ireland to speak in the audiovisual room. We had a great discussion on the potential of batteries to act as storage systems … dispatch down that we see constantly. That needs to be addressed. A panel can generate electricity when the sun shines and a wind turbine when the wind blows but a battery can help a household to use that electricity when it is needed. If used smartly batteries

what is not, but the hard-pressed people of Ireland, faced with rising costs, need a little bit more help in terms of energy prices at the moment while also trying to move toward a more sustainable future. For many years, people in Ireland have been told that … juncture in terms of our energy self-sufficiency and our potential. What would get rid of our dependence on gas as the baseline? If we put the investment in, mass battery storage would be one element to store all the daytime wind, solar, tidal and wave, which

Government, will the Minister provide an update on when the solar energy guidelines will be published and commenced? Will we see guidelines this year, or will they be put on the long finger, as the wind guidelines were? Does she accept that clear planning guidance is required urgently

Government not ashamed that the one offshore wind farm we have is currently being dismantled? That is the Government's level of delivery of offshore renewables. In other countries that have invested, it has brought down people's energy bills. What is the Minister doing about

schemes. There is the risk of fines from Europe, of up to €28 billion, as has been said. The Minister also mentioned offshore wind. I spoke with developers yesterday who told me it is unlikely that a turbine will be wet by 2035. We had a target … Clearly, that is not going to happen. Will there even be 1 GW in place by 2030? We are way behind on solar energy too. The programme for Government outlined that there will be solar guidelines, but we are still waiting for them nearly one and a half

looking to install solar. It gives greater security to people making an upfront payment on panels that investment they are making in clean energy is the right one. The electricity exported from a family home does not suddenly become worthless because it is generated on a rooftop panel … infrastructure should receive an equitable return. I would like confirmation from the Minister of State this evening that there are no plans to wind down the clean export guarantee payment in the coming months and years and that the Government will retain its commitment to it going forward

centres to seek connection to the electricity system that addresses the security of electricity supplies and risks system constraints and promotes the renewable energy target. To address the climate crisis, work is progressing right across Government to implement climate mitigation measures. We are focusing on actions that will … electricity in February, March and April coming from renewable sources. Ireland consistently has over eight gigawatts of renewable generation capacity with onshore wind the largest contributor to this. To facilitate further renewable connections and overall growth, Government approval was received in July for a €3.5 billion investment

which the findings of the independent analysis on repowering and lifetime extension will inform the forthcoming National Planning Statement on Wind Energy and the development of a policy framework for existing onshore wind farms; whether he accepts that delays in providing such a framework risk the loss

Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the timely publication of the National Planning Statement relating to onshore wind energy is considered necessary to support the Government’s target of generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and the delivery … stated 4,333 MW of required onshore wind capacity; whether he has engaged with the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment regarding its publication as a priority in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64434/26

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to the Arklow bank wind farm report (details supplied); the progress made to deliver offshore wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65764/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total value of financial support provided to wind energy generation in the State in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, including all subsidies, grants, guaranteed or supported electricity prices

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the input his Department has had into the development of wind energy development guidelines as initiated by the Department for Housing; Local Government and Heritage. [64891/26

Muirí asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the actions being taken to address delays in the development of offshore wind energy projects; the reasons a number of projects remain behind schedule; the impact these delays will have on the achievement of Ireland's offshore renewable

Peter Roche asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the input his Department has had into the development of the revised Wind Energy Guidelines. [65691/26

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised updated wind energy development guidelines; the timeframe for their completion; if he is concerned by the number of planning applications for wind farms that were refused by local authorities and later

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised updated wind energy development guidelines; the timeframe for their completion; if he is concerned by the number of planning applications for wind farms that were refused by local authorities and later

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Planning Statement relating to onshore wind energy is expected to be published; whether its publication will be expedited as a priority in 2026, having regard to the Government’s renewable electricity targets

Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the proposed national territorial mapping, being progressed through the three regional assemblies to identify areas suitable onshore wind energy development is expected to be completed and published; whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient alignment between national renewable energy objectives, Regional

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected timeline for the issuing of an initial draft of new planning guidelines relating to wind energy. [65557/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the onshore wind energy guidelines; if they will published in Q3 2026; and if not, if they will be published by the end of the year; the reason for the ongoing

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on progress to deliver offshore wind; the earliest date a project will commence construction; the projects and work he anticipates will have been delivered by 2030; and if he will make

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has considered recommendations (details supplied), including its recommendations on accelerating the repowering and lifetime extension of existing wind farms; whether these recommendations are being considered as part of the independent analysis

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 in a sustainable way, engaging with the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59694/26

Local Government and Heritage whether he is satisfied that national renewable electricity and onshore wind targets are adequately reflected in Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, local authority development plans and county renewable energy strategies; the engagement his Department has undertaken with the three regional assemblies and relevant local

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. [64945/26

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the independent analysis being undertaken in relation to the repowering and lifetime extension of Ireland's existing onshore wind farms; the current status of this work; and when he expects the analysis