Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
180. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the formation of a new National Ports Policy; whether it will facilitate the development of ORE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47192/26]
View answerThe review of the National Ports Policy is ongoing. A Memorandum for Government on a draft text for a revised National Ports Policy was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday, 16 June.
My Department will shortly undertake a public consultation on the draft National Ports Policy text, together with the relevant environmental reports. Following the public consultation process, the finalised draft will then be returned to Cabinet for approval, following which the new National Ports Policy will be published.
My Department recognises the important role of ports in Ireland in facilitating the development of offshore renewable energy (ORE), and this is emphasised in the revised National Ports Policy.
I look forward to the same high level of stakeholder engagement in this second public consultation as was achieved during the first, which was based on a thematic Issues Paper. Over 70 responses to that consultation were received and carefully assessed by officials in my Department.
