Written Answers Nos. 240-255
240. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for onshore wind that has been achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21680/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for solar PV achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21682/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 242 together.
Ireland currently has over 8 gigawatts of renewable generation capacity. Onshore wind is the largest contributor to this, with just over 5 gigawatts of wind generation capacity, and circa 2.5 gigawatts of solar PV installed. Hydro, biomass, and other small sources also contribute.
Onshore wind is fundamental to our transition to a renewables led energy system to supply homes and businesses. While nearly 57% of the national target for onshore wind of 9 GW set out under the Climate Action Plan has been energised to date, a strong pipeline of projects is being brought forward through the planning, grid connection and consenting processes.
Solar, both solar farms and rooftop solar, is now Ireland's third largest source of indigenous electricity generation and Ireland’s fastest growing source of renewable generation, accounting for circa 31% of the national target of 8 GW.
The Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce was established to accelerate and increase the deployment of onshore renewable electricity generation by focusing on removing or minimising barriers to the implementation of policies to the greatest extent possible.
The revised National Planning Framework, published in April 2025, includes Regional Renewable Electricity Capacity Allocations for solar and onshore wind. The inclusion of the allocations will facilitate the accelerated roll-out and delivery of onshore wind and solar development. These allocations will be integrated into Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, which will, in turn, inform city and county development plans.
241. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for offshore wind achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21681/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to PQ No. 81 of 24 February this year. The information in that response is relevant to this Question.
Five offshore wind projects off our East coast, with planned capacity of 3.8 gigawatts, are at present in development, with the first planning determinations anticipated before the end of 2026. Subject to approval, I anticipate that these five projects will be in procurement and construction by 2030 and operational in the early 2030s.
In December 2025, I announced that Helvick Head DAC, a consortium of ESB and Orsted, had won my Department’s second offshore wind auction and will be developing a 900 megawatt project off the coast of Waterford. I expect this project to be energised by 2033. This project was the first of four to be brought to auction from the South Coast DMAP.
I am currently developing proposals for an auction for the second South Coast DMAP site, known as Lí Ban, with potential capacity between 900 and 1,500 MW. My Department is working closely with Eirgrid to develop grid connection options and is separately commissioning and procuring survey data of the Lí Ban site to inform the auction. I will make a formal announcement in the coming months but I expect the auction to take place in 2027.
My Department is also preparing plans to bring to market the remaining two sites within the South Coast DMAP and is advancing the National DMAP in order to meet our 2040 targets.
243. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for offshore wind capacity specifically for renewable hydrogen achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21683/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no specific target for the production of hydrogen from offshore wind in 2030. Offshore wind capacity is supplied to the national grid to meet electricity demand and not specifically targeted towards renewable hydrogen production.
The National Hydrogen Strategy and the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy are both clear that production of renewable hydrogen will occur post-2030. As per the National Hydrogen Strategy, my Department will explore and develop routes to markets as required.
Both policy documents set out the actions to be undertaken over a multi-year period to ensure that appropriate frameworks and policy signals are in place to facilitate the development of this offshore wind capacity.
This work will be further developed under the new National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce which is working to oversee the implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy actions.
244. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount spent by the Government on carbon credits for each of the past five years. [21723/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) establishes a national target for each EU Member State for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the period 2021-2030.
Under ESR, Member States can meet their targets through direct emissions reductions, as well as through additional compliance options provided in the framework. However, it does not provide for the use of carbon credits or payments to international carbon offset schemes.
For compliance under the preceding EU Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) 2013 to 2020, Ireland used both certified emissions reduction units and excess annual emissions allowances (AEAs) from other Member States. As mandated by the Government, direct purchases of credits on international markets were carried out by the NTMA. Such purchases were made on instruction from the Minister and based on the agency’s analysis of prevailing market conditions. During the period 2019 – 2021, the NTMA purchased almost 2.95 million certified emissions reduction units at a cost of €2.1 million. As AEAs may only be obtained directly from other EU Member States, my Department, following Government approval, entered negotiations on behalf of Ireland with several Member States for the purchase of AEAs for compliance with our 2020 targets. Following analysis of all offers received, based on several criteria, including total cost and the use of funds for Climate Action, Ireland entered a bilateral agreement with Slovakia to obtain all required AEAs. In early 2023, 4.15 million AEA units were purchased at a cost of €2.9 million for retrospective compliance.
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) was appointed, under the Carbon Fund Act 2007, as the designated purchasing agent on behalf of the State. It administers and manages all carbon credit transactions. The NTMA is also required to prepare an annual report to me, as Minister, on the activities of the Fund, and to prepare annual financial statements. These statements can be found on their website https://www.ntma.ie/publications
245. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the full breakdown of expenditure by his Department on St. Patrick’s Day related activities; the details of any travel abroad; the number of officials that travelled; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21817/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has collated the information requested by the Deputy regarding foreign travel conducted by officials within my Department relating to St. Patrick's Day. This expenditure relates to costs associated with Minister of State Timmy Dooley's engagements in western Canada.
|
Destination |
Number of Officials who Travelled |
Flight Cost |
Hotel Cost |
Other Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Dublin/Seattle/Vancouver |
4 |
€ 12,969.29 |
€233.61 |
€ 427.76 |
€13,630.66 |
The above figure is the amount of spent by the Department to date. There may be additional ancillary expenditure in the form of travel and subsistence claims for officials which have not as yet been calculated.
246. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projects and organisations which have received Just Transition Funding 2021-2027; the amount allocated to each for each year, to date in the current programme round. [21836/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe material requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
247. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures his Department is taking to ensure access to energy in County Mayo; the contingency plans in the event of future weather events or other factors that would affect access to electricity in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21839/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is taking steps to improve the resilience of the grid in response to severe weather events.
As demonstrated through recent weather events, robust coordination and engagement between ESB Networks (ESB-N) and local coordinators has led to an improved and more efficient response.
In February 2025, I asked ESB Networks to prepare a Winter Resilience Plan to enhance the grid in the most vulnerable locations following Storm Éowyn. Core work undertaken includes:
• remedial works to the network;
• working with Coillte and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to identify segments of the network at highest future risk;
• replenishing emergency stocks, spare parts and materials;
• increasing staffing levels and available contractor resources; and
• establishing formal mutual aid arrangements for extreme weather events.
ESB-N is also increasing the number of access officers who engage with landowners on forestry work.
My Department is currently preparing legislation to enhance ESB-N’s powers to manage vegetation and forestry around electricity infrastructure. The Government approved the Heads of this Bill in July 2025 and work on advancing the legislation continues as a matter of priority this year.
In December 2025, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published Price Review 6 (PR6) approving the up to €18.9 billion investment in the grid to 2030, which includes up to €0.99 billion for grid resilience measures.
Under the 2024 National Adaptation Framework, a new suite of Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs) across 13 key sectors, including electricity and gas networks, were approved and published by Government in November 2025.
The Electricity and Gas Networks Sectoral Adaptation Plan (EGN SAP) aims to enhance the future resilience of the energy sector to the long-term impacts of climate change. The plan will ensure the energy sector can effectively manage risks and maintain service continuity into the future.
248. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of heads of government, heads of state, ministers, governors, mayors or other senior elected officials he and Ministers of State in his Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21896/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra249. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of Irish diaspora groups, including but not limited to sporting and cultural organisations, as well as emigrant organisations he and Ministers of State in his Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21914/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of businesses and business representative organisations he and State Ministers of State in his Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21932/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 249 and 250 together.
The official travel for St Patrick’s Day undertaken on behalf of my Department involved Minister of State Dooley travelling to Canada.
As part of the St Patrick's Day engagements in Western Canada, Minister of State Dooley met with some:
• 11 businesses and business representative organisations; and
• 5 heads of government, heads of state, ministers, governors, mayors or other senior elected officials.
I am advised that he also attended 4 wider Irish diaspora events, including but not limited to sporting and cultural organisations, as well as emigrant organisations, of which the Minister of State engaged with a variety of diaspora groups.
251. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the value of trade and tourism respectively, between Ireland and the states visited by him and by Ministers of State in his Department for the St Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21950/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe official travel for St Patrick’s Day undertaken on behalf of my Department involved Minister of State Dooley travelling to Canada. The details sought, as compiled by the CSO, are set out in the attached table.
NOTE: The total exports and imports in goods data are shown in tables below. The most recent moth's data on External Trade in Goods figures are provisional and subject to revision.
|
|
Jan - Dec 2025
|
|
Jan 2026 |
|
Exports €000 |
Exports Tonnes |
|
Country |
€000 |
Tonnes |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
|
|
Canada |
2,688,963 |
51,299 |
419,811 |
4,421 |
3,108,775 |
55,719 |
252. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been brought to any instances of oil leakage from ESB oil-filled or oil-cooled electricity cables affecting Dublin’s canal network; and if he will provide the number of confirmed incidents, the location of each incident where recorded, and the measures taken to contain and remediate any environmental impact, for each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22124/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that no such instances have been brought to my Department's attention in the past 5 years. The type, placement and plans for replacement of, coupled with monitoring procedures for, electricity cables are all operational matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid and not ones in which I, as Minister, have a role.
If the Deputy is aware of any such instances or has related concerns, he may wish to engage directly with ESB Networks and EirGrid via their respective contact email addresses oireachtas@eirgrid.com and oireachtas@esb.ie.
253. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the level of capital investment allocated to electricity grid resilience and storm hardening measures in the Roscommon-Galway constituency in 2024, 2025 and 2026. [22322/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in relation to investment in specific measures in the Roscommon-Galway constituency in 2024, 2025 and 2026 is an operational matter for ESB Networks.
Issues regarding the operation and development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, have responsibility for the development and operation of the Transmission Network. ESB Networks as the Transmission Asset Owner have responsibility for the building and maintaining of the transmission system. Separately, as Distribution System Operator, ESB Networks also have responsibility for the operation, building and maintaining of the Distribution Network. The Transmission and Distribution Networks make up the national electricity grid.
EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions and operate under the supervision of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which in turn is accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.
Queries related to the investment in the electricity grid in an area, coupled with resilience and storm related works undertaken, are all operational matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid. The CRU, ESB Networks and EirGrid have respective contact email addresses for Deputies, (oireachtas@cru.ie, oireachtas@esb.ie, and oireachtas@eirgrid.com,) should they wish to raise matters of concern or seek information such as that in the Question.
254. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment is he will address the concerns regarding data centres raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22440/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraData centres are critical infrastructure for our modern economy, economic growth, the delivery of public services and provide the foundation for almost all online aspects of our lives. The Government is committed to delivering a balanced approach to facilitate additional demand for energy by data centres while also ensuring the competitiveness of our energy system to enhance security and affordability for consumers and businesses. The Government acknowledges the challenges being faced, including in terms of energy, climate and planning, that must be addressed in a planned and strategic approach and has prioritised and operationalised a number of policy, regulatory and investment workstreams to address these challenges.
To this end, the Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP), published in January, will guide the sustainable development of strategically significant energy intensive industries, including data centres, in alignment with Ireland’s broader government objectives. This can deliver long-term economic opportunities and sustainable regional employment. It will also unlock investment and innovation in Ireland’s renewable energy sector, including offshore wind, create positive spillovers, and maximise the wider benefits in jobs and skills across Ireland’s regions.
Alongside LEAP, the energy regulator CRU 2025 LEU Connection Policy Decision establishes a pathway for new data centres to seek connection to the electricity system, while addressing security of electricity supply and network constraint considerations, and promoting Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions.
Separately, the private wires policy aims to unlock private sector resources to build new electricity infrastructure by expanding the rights of private undertakings to connect supply directly with demand. The intention is that private wires will accelerate investment in new electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage, in a manner consistent with the guiding principles of private wires policy. This Government recognises the vital importance of transitioning to a climate neutral and environmentally sustainable economy. I also acknowledge that this transition must be contextualised within Ireland’s broader energy security priorities.
It is envisaged that private wires will contribute to these climate and energy goals while simultaneously attracting investment in our domestic economy. Legislation is being developed in this regard and the General Scheme outlines that any renewable generation utilising a private wire must be a new generation development. This is to encourage adding new renewable energy into Ireland’s energy mix while ensuring that current renewable projects are not taken off the national grid through private wires.
255. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to give an update on his Departments’ provision for the establishment and maintenance of forestry corridors to improve resilience and operational safety of the electricity network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23121/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electricity (Supply) (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2025 is being progressed by my Department as part of a wider programme of work to strengthen the resilience of Ireland’s electricity network in the context of climate change and increasingly severe storm events. A central objective of the Bill is to support enhanced storm preparedness through improved management of the interaction between forestry and the electricity network. Local communities cannot be expected to endure major storm impacts through the loss of power caused by trees falling on the network. In this context, the Bill and associated policy measures are underpinned by key strands of work outlined below.
Firstly, work is underway on the development of an enduring electricity corridor design. This is being informed by an international review of best practice in forestry corridor management, forestry design standards, and structured stakeholder engagement.
Secondly, the Bill will provide for electricity corridors to be placed on a statutory footing. This will safeguard electricity corridors using a risk-based approach delivered through a phased, multi-year programme.
Thirdly, an annual corridor clearance programme has been established by ESB Networks. Detailed surveys of overhead line corridors have already provided a strong evidence base on windblow risk. This information will be used to prioritise an annual, multi-year corridor clearance programme, targeted at those locations presenting the highest risk to customer resilience from forestry-related outages.
The Government approved an initial Heads of this Bill last July and a revised Heads of Bill is due to return to Government shortly reflecting further work in this area. Thereafter, the Bill will go through the pre-legislative scrutiny process and then, subject to Government approval, proceed into the Oireachtas.
