Written Answers Nos. 126-145
126. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if specific measures are in place for Irish citizens living in Kenya to evacuate in circumstances where there is a large scale ebola quarantine facility very close by to where they are living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44705/26]
View answerThe World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the infection risk for people living in the EU/EEA to be very low. The WHO advises the criteria for declaration of a pandemic have not been met.
As of 8 June, 515 confirmed cases, including 91 deaths, have been reported for the DRC. In Uganda 19 cases have been reported, including two deaths. According to the WHO, the risk for Kenya is currently assessed as high, as it shares a land border with Uganda, a country with documented Ebola detection. There are currently, however, no suspected or confirmed cases in Kenya.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Health are monitoring the outbreak closely. We are in contact with Irish citizens and our NGO partners in the region and providing advice and updates. Our Embassies are also liaising with local partners and other donors across the affected regions, which, for now, do not include Kenya. We have updated our travel advice for the DRC and Uganda, as well as for neighbouring countries including Kenya, to reflect public health advice regarding Ebola.
We understand that the Kenyan Government and the US Administration have agreed to the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility at a Kenyan Air Base in central Kenya. The full details of the agreement have not been made public at this stage, and that the matter is subject to ongoing court proceedings in Kenya.
So far in 2026, Ireland has provided €3 million for the WHO General Programme of Work. This is used to support the WHO’s health protection function, specifically for the detection of and response to infectious disease outbreaks, including this Ebola outbreak. An additional contribution of €2 million has also been approved for the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies. This Emergency Fund has released €3.3 million to support the government-led operational response in the DRC and in Uganda in relation to infection prevention and control. Ireland has also provided €16 million the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) this year. The CERF has allocated €8.5 million in response to the outbreak so far.
The Department will continue to monitor developments closely and will maintain contact with Irish citizens across the region.
127. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions she is taking to highlight the cases of political prisoners in Belarus. [44778/26]
View answerThe Government remains extremely concerned at the ongoing erosion of human rights and democracy in Belarus, which includes the incarceration of political prisoners. The Lukashenka regime’s restrictions on political participation and its imprisonment of political opponents is intended to stifle opposition voices and shore up its own authority.
Former political prisoners, including Siarhei Tsikhanouski and Ales Bialiatski, have given harrowing accounts of prolonged isolation, psychological pressure, and other inhumane treatment suffered in Belarusian prisons. I share their grave concerns about the treatment of the 871 political prisoners recorded as being held in captivity in Belarus as at 8 June. Shockingly, since May 2021, at least eight political prisoners have died in the regime’s captivity.
I welcome efforts by the United States to achieve the release of political prisoners of the regime in Belarus, which most recently secured the release of 250 political prisoners in March this year. While the regime has released political prisoners in recent months, it has exiled many of them, separating them from their families and their homeland. It has also placed many more people in prison for their political views.
My Department continues to take meaningful steps to support the welfare of Belarusian political prisoners. Last year my Department provided funding to the Human Rights Centre, Viasna, founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner and former political prisoner Ales Bialiatski, and this year my Department gave funding to the International Humanitarian Fund for the Victims of Repressions in Belarus.
Ireland continues to support strong coordinated EU sanctions and other measures, including action at the OSCE and at the UN, to hold Belarus accountable for its violations of human rights and the rule of law, and its complicity in Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine.
Most recently at the Human Rights Council, Ireland reiterated our call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus and condemned the regime for its use of violence against prisoners and violations of due process and fair trial rights.
At the same time, we seek to assure the people of Belarus of our continued commitment to their well-being, human rights and legitimate aspiration to a prosperous future in a democratic Belarus.
128. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Montenegro’s accession to the European Union; how Ireland is supporting that accession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44779/26]
View answer129. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union; how Ireland is supporting that accession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44780/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
Ireland strongly supports EU enlargement which will be a priority of our upcoming EU Presidency.
Ireland was part of the first enlargement of the then European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973 and we have benefitted enormously from our EU membership over the past fifty-three years. We believe that other European countries deserve the same opportunities, provided that they meet all necessary criteria.
A result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has been the re-emergence of EU enlargement as a priority policy for many EU Member States and the European Commission, as a way to protect and guarantee the prosperity, security and democratic development of the European continent. Ten countries currently hold either EU ‘candidate’ status (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine) or ‘potential candidate’ status (Kosovo).
Montenegro is the most advanced EU candidate country, with 14 out of 33 negotiating chapters currently provisionally closed. Ireland supports Montenegro's goal of closing all remaining negotiating chapters by the end of 2026. We will work during our upcoming EU Presidency to advance Montenegro's candidacy as much as possible. This will primarily depend on the implementation by Montenegro of necessary and challenging reforms in order to close individual chapters.
Ukraine applied for EU membership in 2022 and opened accession negotiations in June 2024. Last year’s Enlargement report, issued by the European Commission, highlighted that Ukraine made remarkable progress across all negotiating chapters over the reporting period. The European Commission also confirmed that Ukraine is technically ready to open all six negotiating clusters.
Since January 2025, Hungary had blocked the opening of Cluster 1 on Fundamentals with Ukraine due to a bilateral dispute over the implementation of an action plan on minorities in Ukraine. Following the recent election of Prime Minister Magyar, and a subsequent bilateral agreement between Hungary and Ukraine on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, Hungary lifted its veto on Ukraine's candidacy. An Intergovernmental Conference to open Cluster 1 on Fundamentals with both Ukraine and Moldova is expected to take place on 15 June. If Member States will agree, Ireland aims to open all remaining negotiating clusters during our Presidency.
Ireland is also providing technical support to candidate and potential candidate countries to strengthen their administrative and institutional capacity. Last year, my Department, through the EU Enlargement and Fundamental Values Fund, launched the “Ireland for EU Enlargement” capacity-building programme which supports candidate and potential candidate countries engaged in the EU accession process. Officials from Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova participated in the 2025 programme. This year, the programme has been expanded to invite officials from all six Western Balkan countries, as well as Ukraine and Moldova.
Ireland will maintain full support to all candidate and potential candidate countries - including Ukraine and Montenegro - on their EU accession paths, provided that the necessary reforms are implemented, particularly in the areas of the Rule of Law, the Judiciary and Fundamental Values. Each of the candidate countries understands the priority which is attached to these sectors and is working with the support of EU Member States to align their national legislation to the EU acquis.
130. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will support Taiwan’s accession to the World Health Organisation, even as an observer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44781/26]
View answerIreland, together with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means we recognise the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal representative of China, and that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, the absence of diplomatic of relations does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections. Nor does it preclude consideration of support for the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral fora, provided statehood is not a prerequisite for participation. The subject matter under discussion is also relevant, and consideration is always given as to whether Taiwan's participation can bring significant added value. Such situations are judged on a case by case basis.
In coordination with our EU partners, Ireland has in the past supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in various multilateral fora dealing, inter alia, with public health, civil aviation safety, transnational crime, economic cooperation. On a general note, Ireland believes that multilateral organisations should be inclusive where appropriate.
The World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of World Health Organization. It held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, and took place on 18-23 May this year. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States, as well as by observers, including the Holy See and Palestine, as well as international organisations (such as the International Committee of the Red Cross) and regional blocs.
Ireland’s position is that cooperation with Taiwan at a technical level on global health matters falls within the parameters of the One China Policy. Given this position and the nature of attendance as an observer at the World Health Assembly, Ireland has consistently engaged with the WHO, as part of a group of EU Member States and other countries, on this matter. However, the question of Taiwan's participation as an observer is ultimately a matter for decision by the wider membership of the WHO, and it has not been possible to reach consensus on the matter in recent years, including this for the most recent World Health Assembly in May 2026.
131. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of foreign birth registration applications for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44843/26]
View answerForeign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the turnaround time of 12 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
FBR, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the supporting documents and application forms for these applications were received in the FBR office on 13 August 2025. Therefore these applications are within the normal turnaround time. The Passport Service will contact the applicants directly if any further documents are required.
132. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any Department review of the Antarctic Treaty (Accension and Implementation) Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44755/26]
View answer133. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on the merits of progressing the aims within the Antarctic Treaty (Accension and Implementation) Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44756/26]
View answer134. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any review of Ireland’s position in relation to the Antarctic Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44757/26]
View answer135. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if any consideration is being given to signing the Antarctic Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44758/26]
View answer136. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any discussions at an EU level into the merits of signing the Antarctic Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44759/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136 together.
In 2021 the Department of Foreign Affairs commissioned an assessment of the full range of legislative, policy and administrative measures that would be necessary for Ireland to participate in the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).
The report provided an overview of the obligations of the ATS, which consists of several different international legal instruments. These are the 1959 Antarctic Treaty; the 1980 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources; the 1972 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals; and the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection 1991. Each of these has a different focus and set of requirements on participating States. The report suggested that it would be possible to sign up to the ATS with different degrees of commitment.
Government subsequently approved the establishment of an inter-departmental group to agree next steps regarding Ireland’s accession to the ATS. Part of the remit of this group will be to identify what, if any, legislation would be required to accede to the ATS at any level.
Following the transfer of marine environment functions to my Department on 1 August 2025, the priority is ensuring that threatened species, habitats, and ecosystem services in our own maritime area and the wider North-East Atlantic Region are protected as well as globally through the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (BBNJ). With this in mind, the Department's current focus is on providing for marine protected areas and the implementation of the BBNJ agreement.
A general scheme of a Bill to amend the Maritime Area Planning Act to enable the effective designation, management and protection of marine protected areas is being progressed and it is intended to bring this general scheme to Government for approval at the earliest opportunity.
It will be necessary to examine the Antarctic Treaty (Accension and Implementation) Bill 2026 in greater detail before any view can be formulated.
137. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve Bill 2025 will be introduced to the Dáil at first stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44872/26]
View answerIn March 2025, I received Government approval to develop a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a strategic gas reserve is critical to Ireland's energy security as we transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulations.
The State-led, transitional nature of the reserve ensures that the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets is mitigated, that the reserve will be used for emergency use only, and that it does not support increased gas demand with a view to minimising impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. Government remains committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and has greatly boosted the share of renewables in our increasingly electrified energy system. This, however, means greater reliance on gas to provide sufficient flexibility and backup for secure electricity supplies at times of low renewable output.
In line with the Programme for Government priority, the approval to proceed with the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve commits to exploring all opportunities to expedite delivery of the project. The Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve Bill provides for an expedited consenting pathway to allow the next stage of delivery of the project. The Bill is currently being finalised, having completed pre-legislative scrutiny in February 2026, with a view to being completed during the summer term if possible. It is my intention to seek Government approval this month to publish the text of the Bill and to present the Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
The general scheme of the legislation underpinning the operation of the strategic gas emergency reserve will be brought forward later this year.
138. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to approve and progress a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31441/26]
View answerEirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department. Any proposed increases to its Defined Benefit Pension Fund require approval from myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (MPER).
My Department received three requests to apply increases to payments under the EirGrid Defined Benefit Pension Fund, relating to the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. The first request received in November 2023 (for 2023) has now been approved.
The remaining two requests, received in 2025, in relation to proposed increases for retired and deferred pensioners applicable in 2024 and 2025 are currently being progressed and are the subject of pending legal advice. Once received, submissions relating to these requests will be prioritised by my officials for my consideration.
There has been significant engagement with EirGrid over the last two years in relation to all three proposed increase requests and I can understand the concern of EirGrid’s pensioners while awaiting the outcome of deliberations. It is important, however, that my officials ensure that all governance and legal procedures are robust, prior to approval of the current requests and any future requests.
139. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps his Department are taking to ensure that Ireland plays it part in strengthening European energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38391/26]
View answerFrom July to December 2026, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – a central leadership role at the heart of EU decision-making.
For six months, Ireland will guide negotiations, broker agreement between Member States, and help deliver EU laws and policies that affect the daily lives of more than 450 million people.
As Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, I will chair both the Environment and Energy Councils during our Presidency.
During the Presidency, my Department will strive to deliver sustainable, secure and affordable energy which is a strategic necessity for Europe. It underpins society, supports economic competitiveness and enables the delivery of the EU’s climate objective.
Officials in my Department have identified a number of files in the Commission’s work programme for 2026 that Ireland will likely lead on during our Presidency which will help to strengthen European energy security.
During our Presidency, Ireland will drive the EU’s energy agenda, including making meaningful progress on the European Grids Package, the Energy Security Regulation and other key files which will expedite the deployment of renewables and bolster the EU’s security of supply.
In addition, a key priority of Ireland will be to progress new files from AccelerateEU, the EU Commission’s suite of proposed measures to address the current affordability crisis. In particular, we await the legislative proposal on Energy Taxation and Network Charges, expected in July. These initiatives will lead to a more electrified, more efficient energy system that can lower prices for consumers.
We are already working closely with Cyprus to develop continuity from one Presidency to the next.
140. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will outline the importance of protecting our energy infrastructure, as defined in the National Strategy on the Resilience of Critical Entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33262/26]
View answerA resilient society is essential for our national security, as well as our economic and social well-being. This resilience relies on the continuous availability of a wide range of essential services including the energy that lights and heats our homes. Certain entities that provide these services are vital to the functioning of our society and are therefore classified as critical. Ensuring that Critical Entities in the energy sector can provide more resilient essential services will support our overall national resilience.
On 19 March 2026 the Department of Defence published the National Strategy on the Resilience of Critical Entities. This strategy outlines Ireland's commitment to ensuring that operators of essential services across 11 key sectors, including Energy are better prepared to resist, respond to, and recover from disruptive events.
This Strategy provides guidance to the operators of our essential services on how to develop a resilience pathway and shows what good resilience practice should look like.
The strategy is available on: www.gov.ie/en/office-of-emergency-planning/organisation-information/critical-entities-resilience-cer-regulations/#the-national-strategy-for-the-resilience-of-critical-entities.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) have been designated as the Competent Authority for the energy sector under the National Strategy. My Department is supporting CRU to meet the requirements of the regulations including identifying essential services of the state.
141. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will outline the way in which his Department aims to strengthen Irish influence across climate policies within the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38786/26]
View answerFrom July to December 2026, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – a central leadership role at the heart of EU decision-making.
For six months, Ireland will guide negotiations, broker agreement between Member States, and help deliver EU laws and policies that affect the daily lives of more than 450 million people.
As Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, I will chair both the Environment and Energy Councils during our Presidency.
During the Presidency, my Department will prioritise efforts to deliver a resilient, resource-efficient and climate neutral Europe, while promoting environmental awareness, just transition and environmentally sustainable behaviours.
We will also strive to deliver sustainable, secure and affordable energy which is a strategic necessity for Europe. It underpins society, supports economic competitiveness and enables the delivery of the EU’s climate objective.
Achieving our 2030 climate goals requires fundamental shifts in how we produce and use energy which ensuring that energy systems remain resilient, affordable and supportive of economic growth.
Officials in my Department have identified a number of files in the Commission’s work programme for 2026 that Ireland will likely lead on during our Presidency which will help to achieve our climate ambitions. We are already working closely with Cyprus to develop continuity from one Presidency to the next.
142. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether consideration has been given to the introduction of financing supports aimed at encouraging investment in renewable energy technologies and residential energy efficiency upgrades, including apartment-based solar generation technologies such as plug in balcony solar systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39892/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to driving increased retrofitting and home energy upgrades, including renewable energy technologies. A range of measures have been introduced in recent years under the National Residential Retrofit Plan to support this commitment, including early in 2026 when an enhanced package of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) retrofit supports were introduced with significant increases in grant supports.
The new and increased grant rates I announced in January 2026 include: increased attic and cavity insulation grants; significantly increased heat pump grants; new grants for windows and doors; higher attic insulation grants for first time buyers; and increased grants for Approved Housing Bodies to upgrade homes, supporting also multi-unit developments; and added support for older people accessing retrofits under the Healthy Age Friendly Homes initiative. All of these will help put homeowners on the pathway to decarbonising their homes.
These measures have seen applications for individual home energy upgrades up by 186% on Q1 2025, solar PV applications up 65% and overall applications up 96%. Budget 2026 has allocated a record €640 million for the SEAI’s residential and community schemes, supporting even more households to avail of grants to upgrade this year.
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, which launched in April 2024, is intended to play a crucial role, alongside grants from SEAI, in helping homeowners invest in energy upgrades to make their homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills. It was developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the SEAI, and the European Investment Bank Group.
The scheme is available nationwide and homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years at significantly lower interest rates to those currently on the market. Rates start from as low as 2.99% with price varying depending on the finance provider.
My Department and the SEAI continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technologies (including those referenced by the Deputy), and other relevant factors, making appropriate changes as necessary.
143. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he expects to publish the Climate Action Plan 2026; the reasons for the continued delay in its publication; the implications of this delay for Ireland’s ability to meet its legally binding carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44687/26]
View answerThis Government is committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis and work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day.
The EPA's latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory shows that Ireland has recorded overall greenhouse gas emission reductions for a third consecutive year, and we now have the lowest levels of emissions in 35 years. In its latest GHG Projections from May of this year, the EPA now projects that we are on course to meet the first carbon budget, and the projections for 2030 have improved since last year. We are working to further narrow the gap to the 2030 target through accelerated delivery.
Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years, which is notable given the concurrent population increase of approximately 1.5 million people, with more than one million new homes added to the housing stock and over one million extra vehicles on our roads, in that time. We have decoupled economic success and green house gas emissions.
We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030, we now have 8GW onshore renewable electricity generation and, in April, we had enough solar power on the grid at a single time to power 500,000 customers. The recent ORESS Tonn Nua offshore wind auction will secure enough clean electricity to power 1,000,000 homes, and we have five Phase One developments progressing through planning this year.
To support this transition, the Government has approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in the Grid for the period 2026 – 2030. This represents the largest ever investment in our electricity grid, delivering major upgrades and developments to allow for the greater electrification of homes, businesses, and transport.
Work is currently underway on the next Climate Action Plan. Following the extensive recommendations delivered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy late last year and the extensive work the Committee carried out in the preparation of its Report on Barriers to Achieving Climate Targets in February of this year, I and the Government are taking the necessary time to carefully reflect on the outcome of these processes and the other preparatory work. In that regard, my Department is working towards bringing a draft of the new Climate Action Plan to Government later this year.
In the meantime, the rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at increasing pace. Climate Action Plans 2024 and 2025, which build on the series of preceding plans, remain in place and provides an extremely strong framework for delivery of climate action to 2030 - many of their commitments are multi annual in nature and we will focus on their delivery.
To maintain and build on our momentum in delivering this transformation, we have put enhanced governance structures in place to speed up delivery and unlock barriers to progress. I now chair the Climate Action Delivery Board and the Climate Action Plan Programme Board has been newly established. These are providing direct oversight on the delivery of our highest impact measures across twelve cross-departmental taskforces, driving delivery in all major sectors. These groups will have a vital role to play as we work on preparation of the next Climate Action Plan, which will be a more focussed plan, identifying strategic, realistic, high-impact actions to drive us closer towards our ambitious targets.
144. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the assessment his Department has made on the impact of projected growth in data centre electricity demand on Ireland’s climate targets and security of supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44688/26]
View answerData centres, like all large energy users, have to exist within the boundaries of our climate legislation and targets. The Government is committed to delivering a balanced approach to facilitate sustainable data centre demand while also ensuring overall energy security and affordability for consumers and businesses.
The Government policy statement on data centres from 2022 recognised that the ’twin transitions’ of digitalisation and decarbonisation of our economy and society must be complementary. The Statement sets out principles to support data centre developments that not only support strong economic activity but developments that make efficient use of our electricity grid, and deliver renewable energy in Ireland.
The Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) published in January 2026 advances and complements the 2022 Government Statement, it sets out a ‘plan-led’ approach for very large and energy intensive investments, which due to their scale and energy consumption benefit from coordinated national infrastructure planning.
Under LEAP, my Department, in collaboration with the System Operators and Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) will model and consider a range of plan-led LEU development scenarios and locations. The modelling work will provide Government with insights for consideration on the impact of future LEU demand on the energy system with regard to infrastructure requirements, infrastructure cost, and sustainability objectives. The outcomes will be used to inform policy choices going forward, to support a more integrated approach to a plan-led energy system agreed across System Operators, the regulator and Government.
Alongside LEAP, the CRU’s Large Energy Users Connection Policy was published in December 2025. This sets out a pathway for new large demand connection applications to the electricity system which addresses risks in relation to security of supply and system constraints and promotes renewable energy targets, while minimising, where possible, the impact on national carbon emissions. Under this policy, data centres above a certain threshold will be required to meet at least 80% of their annual demand with new additional renewable electricity generated in the Republic of Ireland.
To ensure ongoing decarbonisation of the electricity system, incentivising greater demand efficiency and flexibility by LEUs is also essential. The National Energy Demand Strategy by CRU sets out a series of actions by the regulator and System Operators to unlock greater demand flexibility. In addition, Article 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) includes requirements to enhance the energy efficiency of data centres. Data centres in Ireland, and across the EU, are reporting this information to this EU database. The information will be used to inform future policy at national and EU level, including the establishment of an EU wide rating scheme to measure and promote efficiencies in the energy and sustainability performance of data centres.
145. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress that has been made in addressing the planning, grid and delivery bottlenecks identified in the Offshore Wind Energy Programme Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44689/26]
View answerDeveloping Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) is both complex and challenging, and there are many interdependent stakeholders with a role to play.
Five offshore wind projects off our East coast, with a planned capacity of 3.8 gigawatts (GW), are presently in development. Two of the planning determinations are anticipated to be provided in Q4 of this year, with others to follow in 2027.
Subject to planning approval, and the timely progression of the projects by the developers, it is anticipated that these five projects will move to the procurement phase and subsequently to construction by 2030 to be operational in the early 2030s.
The first of the four sites to be brought to auction from the South Coast DMAP, the Tonn Nua offshore wind project, is being developed by Helvick Head DAC. This project, which will be situated off the coast of Waterford, is expected to deliver a planned capacity of 900 megawatts of offshore wind and to be operational in 2033.
An announcement of timings for an auction of the Lí Ban site within the South Coast DMAP is expected in the coming months.
In tandem with implementing the SC-DMAP, my Department is developing a National DMAP, expected to be published in 2027, that will identify a pipeline of offshore renewable energy development sites through Ireland’s maritime area.
In December 2025, I announced an unprecedented investment in grid development of up to €18 billion for the period 2026-2030 and my Department is working closely with EirGrid to develop grid connection options.
The Taoiseach’s Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House Group which was established in 2025, brings together stakeholders from public and private sectors to tackle issues that cause delays to the delivery of offshore energy infrastructure.
Two cross-Government taskforces, the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT) and the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce (AIT) continue to develop policies designed to deliver an accelerated and increased level of renewable energy generation. The OWDT brings together 16 Government Departments, agencies and industry representatives with the aim of developing the sector to progress and align activity.
