Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
431. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if there are solar panels in place on the rooftop or within the grounds of his Department building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30696/26]
View answer432. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30714/26]
View answer433. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30734/26]
View answer434. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30751/26]
View answer435. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30772/26]
View answer439. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position regarding any buildings operated and owned by his Department that have solar panels in place to support the energy demands of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30842/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 431, 432, 433, 434, 435 and 439 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department and some of the agencies under the Department’s remit is provided with accommodation by the OPW. The Department’s Headquarters in Government Buildings is a protected structure which impacts the amount of upgrading that can be done.
I understand that the solar panel policy and requirement comes from the [Energy Performance of Buildings Directive], which is under the policy remit of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for transposing the Directive falling to that Department.
My Department engages with colleagues in the Government Buildings complex and the OPW’s Architectural and Engineering Services Divisions on identification of projects that will assist in achieving additional energy efficiencies.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department strives to effect tangible reductions in its carbon footprint by active engagement with the Energy Section of the Department of the Environment Climate and Communications (DECC) as well as the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). My Department and a number of bodies under its ageis have published Climate Action plans.
