Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
77. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the provisions of the renewable energy III Directive, that were required to be transposed by 1 July 2024, will be written into Irish law; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Renewable Energy Directive III (EU/2023/2413), Member States were required to transpose the relevant planning and permitting articles by 1 July 2024.
The scale and complexity of changes required to implement the necessary changes to permit-granting procedure for renewable energy projects requires an extensive programme of work. That programme of work, which includes changes to the planning system and to the process for connections to the electrical grid in Ireland, is underway.
An Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce was established by my Department to coordinate the fast-tracked and increased deployment of onshore renewable electricity generation and supporting technologies to enable us to meet our 2030 onshore renewable targets. A number of working groups have been established under the aegis of this Taskforce to focus on key work areas, including the relevant planning and permitting articles of RED III. This ensures that matters related to these articles are considered in detail by the relevant Departments and State Bodies. Every effort is being made to implement the necessary provisions in as timely a manner as possible.
