Renewable Energy Generation

Thursday, 2 October 2025

Questions (220)

Donna McGettigan

Question:

220. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment regarding the national territory mapping for renewable electricity being prepared under Article 15b of RED III, the direct consultation his Department has held with Shannon Airport Group and authorities (details supplied) before including East Clare as a strategic onshore wind area; how the Department intends to address flawed local designations where no strategic environmental assessment or aviation-safety assessment was undertaken, such as Clare’s designation of East Clare; whether he will commit to revising the draft national map after the public consultation to remove areas where serious public-health and aviation-safety risks have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52851/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The coordinated mapping of the national territory for the purposes of Article 15b of the Recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) has been undertaken based on lands already identified for grid scale renewable electricity in several existing City/County Development Plans. These plans have been subject to environmental assessments and statutory public consultation (in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended) and are adopted by the Elected Members of each Local Authority.

The Article 15b national territory mapping does not alter or amend any existing City/County Development Plans, nor does it affect their status under any enactment. The coordinated national territory mapping has been generated solely to meet the obligations of the State under REDIII Article 15b.