Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I intend to bring forward shortly a policy blueprint for the development of the renewable energy offshore resource encompassing ocean and wind energy. The national offshore renewable energy plan will take account of the significant impetus being given to offshore renewable energy at European level. Our work as part of the North Seas countries offshore initiative together with the forthcoming EU Strategic Energy Review will focus on the priority interconnection needs across member states. The national plan will also reflect ongoing co-operation with the UK and Northern Ireland through the ISLES project and under the British-Irish Council. Critical to delivery of the renewable energy development plan will be the creation of a fit-for-purpose planning regime for the resource.

Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, responsibility for certain foreshore functions transferred to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with effect from 15 January 2010. This includes all energy-related developments on the foreshore, including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy.

My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, has made clear that he will introduce legislative change aimed at better integrating the foreshore consent processes with the planning processes under the Planning Acts. This will include the new planning regime for offshore renewable energy developments, taking account of the forthcoming plan. My Department is working closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the new regime that will reflect national and EU renewable energy objectives while taking account of the interests of stakeholders in the marine resource.

Both Departments will work with the Department of Finance, the Attorney General's office and other relevant Departments, as well as Eirgrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation and Sustainable Energy Ireland, in delivery of the new regime. A strategic environmental assessment, SEA, of Irish offshore renewable energy resources is being undertaken by Sustainable Energy Ireland at my Department's request. This will complement and inform the design of the plan and the new offshore framework. The SEA process is being overseen by a steering group comprising my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage, local government, the SEI and the Marine Institute.

Under the EU Renewables Directive, Ireland along with all member states, will submit a national renewable energy action plan by June 2010. This will set out the plans to meet our national renewable energy target and will include medium-term plans to develop an offshore grid to facilitate the export of renewable electricity. I will also meet my UK ministerial colleague shortly in this regard.

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