Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
253. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30715/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra255. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30752/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra259. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any buildings operated and owned by her Department that have solar panels in place to support the energy demands of the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30843/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 255 and 259 together.
My Department is committed to realising the goals of the Government’s Climate Action Plan through cooperation with the Office of Public Works for buildings in the State as well as through management of our Overseas Estate.
The overarching ambition of my Department’s Property Strategy is delivery of a network of high quality, safe, secure and sustainable workplaces to double Ireland’s global impact and influence.
A commitment of the associated Strategic Action Plan has been to undertake sustainability surveys of all our overseas premises and implement recommendations in tandem with recommendations arising from my Department’s Climate Action Plan.
The installation of solar and photovoltaic panels can be a highly effective intervention to lower the carbon footprint of our overseas estate and reduce energy costs and my Department is committed to installing such panels where feasible.
In doing so, consideration is given to the availability of a suitable location for installation, the capacity for integration with existing electrical systems, likely payback period, the need for a consistent and reliable power source as well as local capacity to install and maintain panels.
My officials are currently developing Department-specific guidelines for deployment of solar and photovoltaic panels with a view to reducing further the carbon footprint of our overseas estate.
