Wind Energy Guidelines
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-24
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Darragh O'Brien (FF), Dublin Fingal East

Any planning application that goes in is a matter for the planning authority. The Senator knows this; I am stating the obvious. The local authorities decide themselves and then if it is appealed to the board or An Coimisiún Pleanála, they will make the decision. There is no question of us pausing for the development of renewable energy sources. If we have learned anything, and we have learned a lot, particularly since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it is that the overdependence on fossil fuels from third countries is not something we can sustain. About 25% of our gas resources come from the Corrib, and that is diminishing. The rest is imported through two pipelines from Scotland. It would be problematic if anything were to happen to either of those pipelines. That is the reason I am bringing forward the floating gas reserve, so that we will have a gas reserve to use as a back-up.
On the designated maritime area plan, DMAP, side of things, I have been in Shannon Foynes at least twice. It is really impressive. There are great plans there and it is a great port. We are accelerating and have brought forward a national DMAP. There is the east coast and the ORESS 1 auctions. We had Tonn Nua and will have Lí Bán early next year, which is another auction.
I want to build a pipeline of offshore renewable projects. We have already commenced and we got about €165 million of funding in the capital development plan for the national DMAP. Why is that important? It is so we can look at all our territorial waters, map them on a sequential basis and build up that pipeline for the development sector to deliver them. Our real focus is on renewables, reducing our dependence on fossil, reducing our emissions and delivering clean, green affordable energy for our people. There are communities, and I respect this as well, who have issues on the ground. There needs to be better engagement on the ground. We are looking at reworking the community benefit fund. I can respond in more detail in writing.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:41+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-24