Written Answers Nos. 60-80
61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taking to ensure that the development of offshore energy is not located in sensitive areas that have not yet been assessed for marine protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41419/24]
View answerIn 2021, Ireland established its first national maritime spatial plan, known as the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), and legislated to positively change the management of our seas and oceans through enactment of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act. The MAP Act further created the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) to manage and regulate sustainable activities within our seas and oceans.
The deployment of offshore renewable energy (ORE) is critical towards meeting Ireland’s renewable energy and legally binding objectives. This includes achieving a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of this decade and a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. Accordingly, Government has established ambitious targets for the deployment of ORE, which are installed capacities of 5 gigawatts by 2030, 20 gigawatts by 2040 and 37 gigawatts by 2050.
The development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland is taking place within the overarching legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks provided by the MAP Act and the NMPF. The MAP Act provides that An Bord Pleanala shall not approve a development that would materially contravene the NMPF, save in exceptional circumstances. The MAP Act further provides that MARA must have regard to the NMPF in determining the award of Maritime Area Consents and licences.
The NMPF includes robust overarching Marine Planning Policies that apply to all marine activities or developments. In this regard, Biodiversity Policy 1 in this Plan requires that proposals that may have significant adverse impacts on species adaptation or migration, or on natural native habitat connectivity must demonstrate that they will, in order of preference and in accordance with legal requirements; Avoid, Minimise, or Mitigate these impacts.
Through this mandatory adherence to the NMPF, offshore renewable energy projects in Ireland will continue to provide for the protection of biodiversity and our marine environment.
63. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on renewable energy production in Ireland to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41454/24]
View answerA renewables-led system is one of the core foundations of Ireland’s plan to radically reduce emissions in the electricity sector, protect our energy security, and ensure our economic competitiveness.
Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP 23), reaffirmed by CAP 24, sets Ireland an ambitious target of 80% of electricity demand from renewables by 2030.
Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy generation, especially onshore wind and solar this decade, is fundamental to meet our climate and energy targets. Evidence shows that our plans are working, as the EPA reported earlier this year that our greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 were the lowest they’ve been in three decades, with the energy sector reporting an unprecedented reduction of 23.6% in greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2023, 40.7% of electricity demand in Ireland was met by renewable sources, with wind providing the majority of that (33.7%). The remaining 7% was met by other renewable sources such as solar, hydro, and biomass.
Figures published by the SEAI in September show that emissions from the electricity sector over the first six months of 2024 were down 17.2% on the same period last year, while grid-scale renewable generation accounted for 48.9% of electricity generation, an increase of 5.9% on the same period in 2023.
Ireland has over 6 GW of renewable generation. Onshore wind is the greatest contributor to this with circa 5 GW of installed capacity. Solar PV contributes over 1.1 GW, divided between grid-scale and rooftop generation, while we have 25 MW of offshore wind. Other smaller forms of renewable generation, such as hydro and biomass, also contribute.
The very successful fourth onshore RESS auction, RESS 4, secured an additional potential increase of over 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy capacity, at lower prices than the previous two auctions.
65. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria under which new data centres can be approved for connection and permitting; whether a long-term pathway for the development of the sector can be set out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41417/24]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities is an independent regulator responsible for electricity and gas connection policy and accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas. For an electricity connection offer to be made, developers must first apply for and receive planning permission from An Bord Pleanála, Ireland’s independent planning regulator, which is independent in its decision-making functions.
Once planning permission is received, the System Operators EirGrid and ESB Networks must consider any application from a data centre to connect to the electricity network against the strict assessment criteria set out in the CRU’s November 2021 Direction to the System Operators related to Data Centre grid connection processing.
There are current and real network constraints in facilitating new connections, particularly in Dublin. As a result, EirGrid has stopped new connections in Dublin until the transmission system in the region has been upgraded.
The CRU is reviewing its Large Energy Users connection policy. The aim of this review is to provide a new pathway for Large Energy Users to connect to the electricity and gas systems, minimising their impact on carbon emissions while also considering the capacity of our energy and grid infrastructure. A Proposed Decision Paper is expected in Q4 2024.
The July 2022 Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy outlines principles for sustainable data centre development, providing clear guidance to decision makers in the planning process and encouraging the data centre sector to implement decarbonised energy solutions and to increase efficiency.
66. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he will take to address the legal weaknesses of the Government "moratorium" on liquefied natural gas infrastructure exposed by a recent High Court judgement (details supplied). [41402/24]
View answerAs set out in the Government’s ‘Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' the government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Ireland is committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In future, most of our energy needs will be met by renewable energy which will be the anchor of our energy security.
The sole consideration by this Government of Liquified Natural Gas facilities is in the context of energy security. The Government does not support the commercial import of LNG as the development of infrastructure for the commercial import of LNG would be inconsistent with the decarbonisation trajectory established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, as amended.
The Government policy in relation to energy security is set out in 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report which was approved and published in November 2023. The report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections. However, Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our sub-sea gas imports pipelines and does not currently meet minimum EU standards in this area.
It is in this context only that a state-led Liquified Gas Facility was recommended in the Report.
A state-led strategic gas emergency reserve, operating on a non-commercial basis for use only in the event of an emergency, would provide resilience to the gas system and mitigate against the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise from a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.
As a final element of the energy security review, Gas Networks Ireland are undertaking a detailed analysis of the strategic gas emergency reserve.
In parallel my Department are developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure the facility provides the resilience to our energy system in a manner that:
• does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market;
• is compatible with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and
• does not support the Importation of Fracked Gas (www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/135271/3226a65b-c49c-458e-9ab9-83b2d1196af2.pdf#page=null)
Work to conclude the final element of the energy security package is continuing as a matter of priority; however, it requires additional analysis before returning to Government.
One of the issues on which further research and information is necessary, relates to the timeline for introducing such a facility and the timelines within which gas demand may fall to reduce the risk. That has to be examined very closely. We know that, in this decade, we are at risk and are exposed. Given the likelihood that delivery of a strategic gas reserve facility may not happen until early in the next decade, analysis is required as to whether the planned dramatic reduction in gas use, particularly in the electricity generation sector, means that an alternative way to meet the energy security risk might be better. For example, further electricity interconnectors with the UK or France or what is fast-evolving long term storage capability. This further research is something I have called for and that my Department is looking at before going back to the Government and Oireachtas with detailed analysis.
68. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on his Department's efforts in relation to projects under REPowerEU funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41455/24]
View answerIn response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Commission published the REPowerEU plan in May 2022 to end or reduce the reliance on Russian fossil fuels in EU member states by 2030.
The REPowerEU plan constitutes a dedicated chapter in Ireland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), and reforms made in line with the criteria set out in the REPowerEU Plan are set out in this chapter.
Multiple Departments across government contributed to the drafting of the REPowerEU chapter, with input from my Department on environmental, decarbonisation and reduction of reliance on fossil fuels reforms.
As part of the REPowerEU plan, additional National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) funding is provided to Member States in the form of grants and loans.
My Department examined the reforms and policies taken that were most in line with the criteria set out in the REPowerEU Plan and drew up a shortlist of investment projects and policy reforms that were most applicable. My Department participates in two major projects:
The SEAI/HSE Pilot Energy and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Project is an investment project being led by DECC. Funding totalling €48m over the period 2024-2026 was approved with allocations €3.3m for 2024, €26.9 for 2025 and €17.78 in 2026.
The SEAI/HSE Pilot Energy and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Project is the first deep retrofit of HSE sites and will be critical in terms of providing learning and experience to the HSE, which has a vast national estate portfolio. Work contracts have been signed for retrofit actions and works have commenced in five HSE estates and final design packs are being progressed. Tendering for the sites is taking place in Q4 2024, targeting works contractor appointments in Q1 2025.
In the REPower EU policy reform space, my Department is implementing a project to promote and accelerate the deployment of offshore wind renewable energy sources in Ireland. The reform aims to accelerate towards our target of 5 gigawatt (GW) of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030. There are several elements to the reform:
The first was completed in 2023 when I published a Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind, ‘Accelerating Ireland’s Offshore Energy Programme’ . This Phase Two Policy committed to a State plan-led system, designating offshore maritime areas for offshore wind development and focussing on technology proven at scale in other jurisdictions, as this gives us the best chance of timely achievement of our targets.
On 10 October 2024, the Oireachtas approved the first designated area, the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan, focused on an area off the coasts of Cork, Waterford and Wexford. This South Coast DMAP identified four offshore maritime areas specifically for fixed bottom offshore wind development.
Early next year, my Department will launch an auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to bring the first of these offshore maritime areas to the market. The Tonn Nua auction will seek a developer to build a 900 MW wind farm, with RESS financial supports.
69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional measures, if any, that will be introduced to deal with littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41389/24]
View answerUnder the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
My Department provides financial support to local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. €750,000 was provided under this Scheme in 2023 with a similar amount expected to be made available in 2024.
Funding is also provided annually in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business against Litter (IBAL).
In addition, in February of this this year, I launched the Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium beverage containers. While the DRS is intended primarily as a circular economy initiative to drive the separate collection of these materials to support increased levels of recycling, the DRS is also an anti-littering initiative. Early indications, including through the most recent IBAL surveys, are that the DRS is proving very effective in this regard.
70. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will support a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship, including in relation to RTÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41405/24]
View answerWhile I would, in principle, support such a ban, advertising standards do not fall within the remit of my Department.
Nonetheless, the Government has taken strong action to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. On my appointment as Minister, my Department ceased accepting new applications for exploration licences for natural gas or oil, nor will there be any future licensing rounds. A Policy Statement on Petroleum Exploration and Production in Ireland was published in August 2022 reflecting the current policy and legislative position of the Government on Petroleum Exploration and Production. Recent legislative amendments made to the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 have placed this commitment on a statutory basis.
Furthermore, work is ongoing to end the issuing of prospecting licences, mining licenses or leases for coal, lignite and oil shale through the relevant provisions of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 to be commenced soon.
More generally, work is continuing to end our reliance on fossils fuels through the development of renewable and sustainable energy sources.
As a Government, we are undertaking public communications work, including advertising, explaining the value of collective and individual action to reduce fossil fuel use and reduce climate impacts of human activities. Unfortunately, both in Ireland and globally, the large scale of fossil fuel advertising dwarfs this climate-oriented advertising and communications. I welcome the recent discussion at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the comments from the UN Secretary General, António Guterres earlier this year. We can learn from experience in Ireland and globally with the control of advertising of substances impacting on public health such as tobacco, as well as from more recent steps to control advertising of fossil fuels in France and in various cities.
71. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for the expansion of the production of renewable energy in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41433/24]
View answerUnder Climate Action Plan Update 24, Ireland has set a target of 80% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 made up of 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar and at least 5 GW of offshore wind. This will require unprecedented levels of investment in renewable electricity generation development and in the infrastructure required to expand and strengthen our electricity grid.
The Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce (ARET) has been established to identify and prioritise the required policies to achieve our onshore renewable electricity targets. The ARET published its Implementation Plan in June, which sets out the roadmap for the actions to be taken in the near-term to help meet our 2030 targets.
The Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT) continues to oversee actions required to develop offshore wind generation in Ireland. The OWDT published its Annual Review 2023 and Key Actions for 2024 report in April, which sets out the key measures to be undertaken in the offshore wind sector. While the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy sets out the key actions to develop Ireland’s long-term, plan-led approach to offshore wind.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the main Government policies to deliver this renewable generation capacity. Five auctions, both onshore and offshore, have been undertaken to date.
Regional renewable electricity targets have been included in the draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework. This is a critical step towards achieving Ireland’s national renewable electricity targets.
72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the Regional Renewable Energy Strategies; whether his Department is considering moving to a plan-led approach for the large-scale development of solar in advance of the adoption of these strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41376/24]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2024 reaffirms Ireland’s national targets of 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar and at least 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
The Planning and Development Bill 2023 concluded in the Houses of the Oireachtas on Wednesday 9th October 2024. One of the key reforms in the approved Bill, includes greater mandatory alignment of all tiers of planning, improving consistency, from national, regional to local level. Section 29 of the Bill relates to the content of a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES).
Regional renewable electricity targets for solar and onshore wind are included in the draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF). These will deliver a regional balance and distribution of renewable technologies, including solar, and provide a supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply to keep pace with economic growth, protecting Irish homes and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices through the deployment of indigenous wind and solar energy across our regions.
Following approval of the First Revision of the NPF and associated review of the three Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, the regional targets are to be integrated into each RSES and the associated Regional Renewable Energy Strategies and translated to county-level targets that will inform City and County Development Plans.
Under the aegis of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce (ARE Taskforce), officials from my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working with the three Regional Assemblies and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on developing a regional methodology for meeting national onshore renewable electricity targets.
While solar energy development guidelines are a future policy consideration under the ARE Taskforce, it should be noted that planning matters fall within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
73. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has circulated potential targets under the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 to stakeholders in the various sectors; and if he would consider integrating these targets with the process for monitoring climate target delivery. [41414/24]
View answerThe first whole-of-government Circular Economy Strategy was launched in December 2021. The Strategy sets out an overall approach to circular economy policy, identifies key objectives and indicates the direction of future policy development. There is an explicit commitment in the text to revise the Strategy on an ongoing basis, including through the introduction of more detailed targets as policy develops further.
The next version of the Strategy currently being drafted will have a statutory basis and, in line with the requirements under the Circular Economy Act, will include targets for key sectors, delivering on the potential to make significant contributions to the circular transition. It is therefore being constructed on the basis of a comprehensive and detailed analysis of Ireland’s current national material flows and level of circularity based on a methodology that allows for international comparisons of Ireland’s performance relative to peer countries.
In this context, and to inform the Strategy, a Circularity Gap Report has been prepared. The purpose of this report, which was published in September, is to enable us to better understand the levers for change in moving to a circular economy and the benefits that these levers could bring based on a solid assessment. The reports’ analysis, findings and recommendations have been shared with all stakeholders and are informing the development of the second Circular Economy Strategy which is now being drafted.
It is recognised that material use, and carbon emissions are tightly coupled, with specific sectors contributing the most. In that context the Strategy will take account of the Climate Action Plan, and targets ascribed to specific sectors and associated circular interventions will be monitored for their effectiveness in reducing both our emissions and our consumption-based material footprint.
74. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made on addressing the risks posed by public water supplies in the Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water quality in public supplies report for 2023; the improvements made in addressing the long-term resilience and safety with reference to environmental pollution of supplies in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41439/24]
View answerI have no function in relation to this matter, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. Public water supplies are a matter for Uisce Éireann. Since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
75. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will commission an independent risk assessment of all current and future gas supply and storage, taking into account climate law, carbon budgets, health and safety issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41404/24]
View answerLast November, the Government approved and published the Energy Security Package, a first-of-its kind strategy that encompasses electricity, oil, and gas. As part of the Package, the 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report concludes that Ireland’s future energy will be secure by moving from a fossil fuel-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential, flexibility and being integrated into Europe’s energy systems.
As part of the analysis, the Package included:
• A major public consultation exercise with over 450 responses that were reviewed and influenced the final report;
• “Technical Analysis” on security of electricity and gas supply with scenarios and risks that inform the ESP;
• Policy analysis and a work programme on oil security of supply;
• An Independent Review on Security of Electricity Supply (the McCarthy report) with recommendations have been actioned;
• And an energy security response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine (“National Energy Security Framework”) with actions that have been integrated into Ireland’s overall energy security response to 2030.
Alongside security of supply and affordability; the principle of sustainability – the mitigation and avoidance of potential environmental harm and climate change impacts – was a key driver in the analysis as part of the Energy Security Package. The Package was developed in line with the objectives outlined in the Climate Action Plan. This strategy will ensure energy security in Ireland for this decade, while enabling a sustainable transition to a carbon neutral energy system by 2050, supporting our growing economy and societal needs for the future.
With regard to gas, the report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections, but Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our gas imports. As a transitional measure, it is necessary to introduce a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve to address security needs in the medium-term, to be used only if a disruption to gas supplies occurs.
Based on preliminary analysis by my Department, it is anticipated that in terms of delivery options, a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve provided through a storage and importation facility, in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, is the most appropriate approach. A strategic gas emergency reserve is required to provide resilience to the gas system to mitigate the consequences for society and our economy of a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.
Gas demand is expected to drop significantly through the course of the decade from 2030 and production of renewable gases are set to increase as well as the introduction of renewable gas compatible storage. This will enable security of supply benefits to be delivered without committing to a long-term dependence on natural gas.
This matter is being considered as a matter of priority and will return to Government for a decision on the optimum solution to deliver a strategic gas emergency reserve.
One of the issues on which further research and information is necessary, relates to the timeline for introducing such a facility and the timelines within which gas demand may fall to reduce the risk. That has to be examined very closely. We know that, in this decade, we are at risk and are exposed. Given the likelihood that delivery of a strategic gas reserve facility may not happen until early in the next decade, analysis is required as to whether the planned dramatic reduction in gas use, particularly in the electricity generation sector, means that an alternative way to meet the energy security risk might be better. For example, further electricity interconnectors with the UK or France or what is fast-evolving long term storage capability. This further research is something I have asked my Department to look at before going back to the Government and Oireachtas with detailed analysis.
76. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41412/24]
View answerThe North-South Interconnector is an essential Transmission infrastructure project that will link the electricity transmission networks of Ireland and Northern Ireland — leading to a more secure, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity across the island. It will facilitate the connection of 900 MW of renewable generation, enough to power 600,000 homes through green energy.
The North-South Interconnector is a Transmission project and is being undertaken by EirGrid. The Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’.
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not myself as Minister.
It is for system operators to determine the means of delivery of infrastructure and in doing so they seek to work in close collaboration with landowners and stakeholders. Eirgrid have been and will continue to engage with the local communities affected by the development of the North South Interconnector. Eirgrid are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions as Transmission System Operators. The CRU and Eirgrid have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in the question. In this instance EirGrid are the appropriate organisation to provide information regarding current status of the project.
77. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Re-Turn has carried out the consultative process it committed to carry out to examine any accessibility issues for disabled people with the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41413/24]
View answerThe consultation process to review and assess the accessibility of the deposit return scheme (DRS) for people with disabilities and mobility issues is underway. This process is overseen by an advisory group comprising representatives from Disabled Persons Organisations, the National Disability Authority, Disability Federation Ireland, retailers, producers, Re-turn and my Department.
Re-turn has also appointed an independent contractor who is currently engaging with the DRS user and stakeholder community to gather data, evidence and insights on accessibility issues facing people who participate or wish to participate in the DRS. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria that a contractor or builder must meet in order to be listed on the SEAI's website; how often these are reviewed and revised; if he is aware of concerns that work is not being carried out to an adequate standard (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41375/24]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
It is important that works supported through SEAI schemes are completed in line with their respective terms and conditions including in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents. Accordingly, a contractor or builder must meet the following criteria to be listed on SEAI's website:
• Contractors must complete a SEAI Contractor Registration form and provide all necessary documents confirming competency for measures being registered for. Details can be found here: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Domestic-Technical-Standards-and-Specifications.pdf.
• Contractors must complete a Declaration of Insurance form and provide a valid Tax Clearance Certificate
• Contractors must attend a mandatory Onboarding Training session held by SEAI. These sessions are held once a month and a Contractors activation on the SEAI website is dependent on attendance.
• In order to remain SEAI registered, Contractors must remain insured at all times, tax compliant and carry out works to the standards set out in SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications (DTSS) document as well as NSAI’s S.R. 54:2014 – Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.
SEAI’s inspections are targeted on the basis of risk, identifying measures and/or contractors where administrative or technical non-compliances are more likely to occur. All contractors are subject to certain minimum rates of inspection. SEAI sets a very high pass standard for its inspections with a “Pass” indicating that there are no open issues or follow-up snags. This approach helps to drive high standards and sufficient capacity to meet increasing demand among the contractors operating under SEAI schemes.
In most cases where a property does not pass an inspection, there will only be a very small number of inspection points that have failed to meet standard. In relation to inspection fails, SEAI has several controls in place such as if re-works are not complete within six weeks, contractors are subject to de-registration until re-works are completed. It is important to note that almost all homes with issues or that require reworks are resolved and that cases of serious non-compliances are rare.
SEAI continuously reviews standards, specifications and registration requirements and engages with Educational Training Boards (ETB) regarding relevant courses and course content. Furthermore, in 2023 SEAI set up a new quality team looking at how quality can be optimised to improve overall pass rates and reduce demands for the supply chain and homeowners.
79. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what steps he will take to ban liquefied natural gas infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41401/24]
View answerAs set out in the Government’s ‘Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' the government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Ireland is committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In future, most of our energy needs will be met by renewable energy which will be the anchor of our energy security.
The sole consideration by this Government of Liquified Natural Gas facilities is in the context of energy security. The Government does not support the commercial import of LNG as the development of infrastructure for the commercial import of LNG would be inconsistent with the decarbonisation trajectory established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, as amended.
The Government policy in relation to energy security is set out in 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report which was approved and published in November 2023. The report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections. However, Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our sub-sea gas imports pipelines and does not currently meet minimum EU standards in this area.
It is in this context only that a state-led Liquified Gas Facility was recommended in the Report.
A state-led strategic gas emergency reserve, operating on a non-commercial basis for use only in the event of an emergency, would provide resilience to the gas system and mitigate against the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise from a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.
As a final element of the energy security review, Gas Networks Ireland are undertaking a detailed analysis of the strategic gas emergency reserve.
In parallel my Department are developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure the facility provides the resilience to our energy system in a manner that:
• does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market;
• is compatible with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and
• does not support the Importation of Fracked Gas (www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/135271/3226a65b-c49c-458e-9ab9-83b2d1196af2.pdf#page=null)
Work to conclude the final element of the energy security package is continuing as a matter of priority; however, it requires additional analysis before returning to Government.
One of the issues on which further research and information is necessary, relates to the timeline for introducing such a facility and the timelines within which gas demand may fall to reduce the risk. That has to be examined very closely. We know that, in this decade, we are at risk and are exposed. Given the likelihood that delivery of a strategic gas reserve facility may not happen until early in the next decade, analysis is required as to whether the planned dramatic reduction in gas use, particularly in the electricity generation sector, means that an alternative way to meet the energy security risk might be better. For example, further electricity interconnectors with the UK or France or what is fast-evolving long term storage capability. This further research is something I have called for and that the Department is looking at before going back to the Government and Oireachtas with detailed analysis.
80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taken to ensure that the development of offshore energy is not located in areas that will force the displacement of existing livelihoods, particularly fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41418/24]
View answerIn 2021, Ireland established its first national maritime spatial plan, known as the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), and legislated to positively change the management of our seas and oceans through enactment of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act. The MAP Act further created the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) to manage and regulate sustainable activities within our seas and oceans.
The deployment of offshore renewable energy (ORE) is critical towards meeting Ireland’s renewable energy and legally binding objectives. This includes achieving a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of this decade and a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. Accordingly, Government has established ambitious targets for the deployment of ORE, which are installed capacities of 5 gigawatts by 2030, 20 gigawatts by 2040 and 37 gigawatts by 2050.
The development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland is taking place within the overarching legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks provided by the MAP Act and the NMPF. The NMPF includes robust overarching Marine Planning Policies that apply to all marine activities or developments. Of particular note is the policy on co-existence. Co-existence is where multiple developments, activities or uses exist together or close to each other in the same area and / or at the same time. To manage available space effectively and to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of access to it, there is a requirement for proposals to consider co-existence of activities and minimise adverse impact where possible. This will enable activities such as fisheries, to continue and / or grow, minimise conflict, and meet local, regional and national policy aims including economic. For example, during the development of the draft South Coast DMAP, a Community Liaison Officer and a Fisheries Liaison Officer were appointed and remain in situ, to ensure those working and living in and near the area of the DMAP, are consulted with on an ongoing and meaningful way to minimise impact and maximise opportunities that will come from the development of offshore renewables in this area. This was in addition to direct and ongoing consultation by my Department with those living and working in this area, including, and with a particular emphasis on, those working in the seafood industry.
