Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
136. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the result of the letter of formal notice sent by the European Commission on 21 November 2025 in relation to the transposition of the recast Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791, the content of his Department's reply; and whether a new deadline for transposition was agreed with the Commission. [51609/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of communications email or otherwise with the European Commission in relation to the missed 11 October 2025 transposition deadline of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791, and related delegated regulations, in tabular form, with the associated dates of correspondence. [51610/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which primary legislation, such as the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, will account for the transposition of Article 26 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2023/1791). [51611/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137 and 138 together.
The Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023/1791) (EED) is a wide-ranging European Directive which seeks to enhance energy efficiency across all EU Member States and forms a key part of the EU’s Fit for 55 Package. The Recast EED replaces the 2012 EED, as amended in 2018, which Ireland has previously fully transposed and implemented.
The Recast EED was finalised in October 2023, with a transposition deadline of 11 October 2025. It contains many new measures aimed at further enhancing energy efficiency across the EU. The Government has a very ambitious programme in place to enhance energy efficiency across all sectors of Irish society, as a key part of the drive to decarbonise and achieve our climate targets. The Government is fully committed to implementing the EED and recognises the significant benefits arising from embracing energy efficiency for Irish society, including reduced energy costs to households, businesses and the Exchequer; increased competitiveness and job creation; reduced fossil fuel use and reduced carbon emissions; a reduction in energy poverty; improved health outcomes; and increased energy security.
The Government has invested heavily in promoting energy efficiency across all sectors, including through residential energy efficiency grants provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), investment in transport measures that promote energy efficiency through greater use of public transport, active travel and electric vehicles, promoting district heating, and further measures in the industrial and commercial sectors. Significant progress has been made in enhancing energy efficiency to date.
The EED contains highly complex and technical requirements which have required careful consideration prior to their adoption into Irish law. Work on the transposition of Directive EU 2023/1971 on Energy Efficiency is ongoing across a number of policy areas in my Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments, Agencies and stakeholders. Both the SEAI and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities have a critical role to play in the implementation of the Recast EED in Ireland.
In relation to the specific transposition requirements, my Department notified the European Commission of the transposition of Articles 4 , 24 and 35 of the EED, which were transposed by means of practical implementation, prior to the 11 October deadline.
Following the passing of the deadline, Ireland, along with 25 other Member States, received a Letter of Formal Notice in November 2025 for failure to transpose the EED in full by the deadline stipulated, to which my Department responded within the required two month timeframe.
In April 2026, following my signature into law of SI 683 of 2025, my Department notified the European Commission of the transposition of Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the EED, which concern the energy savings obligation and the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS). This scheme creates a legal requirement on energy suppliers and distributors to support energy efficiency projects in homes, businesses, and communities across Ireland. Further information on the EEOS can be found on the SEAI website.
My officials continue to engage with officials from the European Commission and other Member States on a regular basis regarding the EED and at several different fora, most recently in June 2026 at the Energy Efficiency Action Forum and EED Expert Group, which are both organised by the European Commission. This engagement seeks to share experiences of best practice in terms of EED transposition and the most effective policies and measures to improve energy efficiency across all sectors.
Article 26 of the EED concerns the supply of heating and cooling and contains requirements related to district heating systems and capturing waste heat from large industrial installations, including data centres. Work on the full implementation of this article is progressing.
Article 26(6) specifically contains a requirement for Member States to ensure that data centres with a total rated energy input exceeding 1 MW utilise the waste heat or other waste heat recovery applications unless they can show that it is not technically or economically feasible in accordance with the assessment referred to in paragraph 7 of Article 26. It is my intention that this requirement will be implemented in Ireland in a manner that is effective, practical and proportionate.
My Department is working to complete the transposition of the EED as soon as possible, with several articles close to completion. Transposition will be completed through the use of statutory instruments, under the powers set out in the European Communities Act 1972.
