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Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department is liaising with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the new draft wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59827/25

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

better sustainable farming methods for the farming community and for the retrofitting programme, which has been quite extensive. To give an example, onshore wind energy provided 48% of Ireland's power last February. Last January, Ireland reached the important milestone of hitting 5 GW of installed onshore wind

important to be absolutely clear that a wind farm is no small undertaking. These are vast developments that have an enormous impact on communities and the local environment from the moment construction begins throughout their entire lifetime up to the day they are decommissioned. It is beyond … investors who have little to no regard for our local communities. We are committed to putting communities at the very core of developing wind energy in Ireland, and to ensuring that this area is properly regulated, not left to those seeking profit at any cost. One recent proposed

provide certainty for families and businesses against the backdrop of global instability; and — that the Government continues to invest in retrofitting, boiler scrappage, wind energy and many other measures to help alleviate costs in the medium-term; notes that: — the Government has delivered one of the largest support

directive requires that we show those areas available for renewable energy and those that have the potential to be developed for renewable energy. The Deputy wants that which has already happened to be mapped. I do not see an issue with that. I will relate that message … community benefit fund. Many countries have spoken positively about the fact we have that community benefit dimension to our renewable strategies, particularly for wind energy. The Minister would be open to reviewing the community benefit fund. I am particularly interested in getting the mapping done

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

really significant figure of 8 GW of renewable energy integrated into our system. Yes, of course we need to do more. One gigawatt powers about 500,000 homes. That is what we are talking about. Our wind capacity has doubled in ten years. We have added … regard. In the meantime, we need more onshore wind and more onshore solar. To answer the questions some Deputies have raised about the wind energy guidelines, the revised guidelines will be published and made available this year. I get the point in that regard. The revised guidelines will

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

Minister's, is about the delays, particularly when it comes to offshore renewables. We are talking about 5 GW of offshore wind energy being generated by 2030. Our target then will be to get up to 20 GW by 2040. We need to start thinking at that level

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

interconnector to France, which has been delayed, put in place? It has been repeated many times, but we have less offshore wind energy now than we did 20 years ago. I was on Brittas beach at the weekend enjoying the weather and looking at the seven pillars

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

produced. Invariably, from across the House, people will come in and say they do not want a solar farm, they do not want wind energy, they do not want gas generation. Where does all of that lead

question is about the provision of offshore wind energy and initiatives his Department might have put in place to fast-track that, particularly in the context of dealing with the frustrations of people who recognise that, as I understand it, there is currently no operating offshore wind capacity

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

been done in terms of protecting the rights of communities. We are awaiting revised guidelines. The current guidelines give too much leeway to wind energy companies, which do not respect many communities. I commend everyone involved in the campaign relating to Mongan bog, which is a heritage site

erosion and the sea level rising. Another thing that has come up for me today, which is significant, in the area of wind energy and renewables is the plan to build extraordinarily high muilte gaoithe off the coast of Carna. The plan is to put more than … energy. We want people in the community to come on board with these endeavours and then we have such a big scheme as this going to An Bord Pleanála with no hard copy. I mention this in particular because I have a letter here about an existing wind

remaining in this slot on what we absolutely should be doing, which is investing in self-sufficiency in energy. Some 80% of our energy requirements come from imports. We should start making strategic investments in a big way to get rid of the requirement … hydrogen or through renewables. I mentioned in a number of debates in this House that it is not just about offshore and onshore wind energy; it is also about wave technology. We are ten years behind Demark and Scotland. We should be at the forefront and put some

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

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

year, we are providing €558 million through the carbon tax receipts to put that directly into homes and small businesses to reduce their energy costs. The IEA has said it, not me, that those cost savings are between €900 and €1,200 on average per annum. Permanent changes … Last year, over 40% of our electricity was generated through renewables. We have had a further successful auction in relation to solar and wind energy and we are within grasp of becoming energy sovereign in the next ten years. That will be critical to reducing our dependence

going to focus on the climate and energy aspects of the budget. I will start by giving some credit to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. There have been some positive steps from a long-term emissions reduction perspective. For starters, I am glad he has convinced the Minister … carbon taxes. The funding given to EirGrid and the ESB for grid investment is very much welcome and will help unlock our renewable wind energy capacity. I was happy to see some, though not enough, additional funds being provided for retrofitting. In this budget, the Government has allocated

down and check, as have the British. That is a huge vulnerability. That is why we are doing the strategic LNG energy reserve that we are providing in the mid-west. Deputy Ó Murchú raised the same issue with roads that Deputy Malcolm Byrne raised. Again, that … catalyst to more renewables. When I say we need a political debate, the point is that people object to solar, wind energy and gas generation stations. I keep asking myself how we will turn the lights on if we object to all of it. We need to work

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on wind energy guidelines; for a timeline for publication; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12783/25

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the offshore sustainable energy wind farm project known as north Irish Sea array SID; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13077/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he projects the first new offshore renewable wind energy to become available on the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11239/25

Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the progression of the new guidelines for wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8403/25

Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the potential to develop a market for domestic wind energy production, given the successful roll out of domestic solar production in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the expansion of the Offshore Wind Energy Taskforce to include IDA Ireland, as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6775/25

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when updated wind energy development guidelines can be expected, particularly in regard to setback distances from households related to the significant height of modern turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4154/25

Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he will take to ensure rural communities are protected from over saturation of industrial-scale wind energy developments and their adverse effects on residential amenities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4155/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will update guidelines on solar and wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4526/25

Environment the steps he is taking to remove bureaucracy and red tape for the progress of infrastructural developments, such as wind and solar energy projects, designed to assist in meeting climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73218/25

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 Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of energy generated by wind, solar and other technologies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70133/25

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the expected amount of energy generated by wind in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60337/25

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if a business operating wind turbines or other renewable energy generation assets will be permitted under the proposed direct lines/private wires regime to sell electricity to an adjoining community, sporting or voluntary organisation. [73378/26

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 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

Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the means by which the Government is supporting investment in energy storage to complement wind generation and ensure supply stability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58543/25

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 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 Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update offshore wind projects; the amount of offshore wind that is expected to be connected by 2030, 2032 and 2035, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43821/26

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