Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
261. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the current DMAP process; the timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6158/26]
View answerDesignated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) are a critical piece of the Government’s strategic plan for managing our maritime area to ensure that developments take place in a sustainable, plan led manner.
A National DMAP for Offshore Renewable Energy is now underway to cover the entire Irish maritime area and help deliver Ireland’s target of 20GW offshore renewables by 2040. The development of the National DMAP is currently on track with the DMAP Proposal and Public Participation Statement published in September 2025, and extensive stakeholder consultation is planned through 2026-2027. External project supports have now been put in place for statutory environmental assessments, fisheries liaison, community liaison and project management. Interdepartmental consultation engagements took place in Q4 2025, while sectoral workshops with the ORE industry, the seafood sector and environmental NGOs are scheduled for Q1 2026. These stakeholder workshops commence the extensive public and stakeholder consultation on the National DMAP that will take place over the course of 2026 and 2027.
This National DMAP for ORE is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2027. The DMAP will designate space to deliver 20GW of offshore renewable energy taking account of the Phase one projects and sites already designated by the South Coast DMAP.
This approach directly supports the Programme for Government commitment and will provide greater certainty for all marine stakeholders and the renewables industry. This strategic plan will outline the development and management of offshore renewable energy resources off Ireland’s coast, and will provide a clear and sustainable framework for developing offshore renewable energy, balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and community engagement to support Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future.
