Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the proposed timeline for auctions for the delivery of the three other sites identified in the designated maritime area plan, which are not included in the Tonn Nua offshore wind auction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49265/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy McCarthy and note his interest in this important issue. The south coast designated maritime area plan, DMAP, was adopted by the Oireachtas in 2024 and designates four development areas for fixed-bottom offshore wind development. An auction process is due to commence on 22 September for the first of these areas, the so-called Tonn Nua site, with capacity for a 900 MW offshore wind farm. We anticipate that a winner will be announced for this site on 9 December. The Tonn Nua project is expected to be operational by 2034 subject to planning consent, which is the next wave of it.

Specifically then on the Deputy's area of concern, arrangements are being made to bring the remaining three south coast DMAP sites to market, ensuring a consistent pipeline of offshore developments will take place over the coming years. A further pipeline of development sites within the national DMAP will follow from 2028 onwards. However, the precise approach to bringing the remaining three south coast DMAP sites to auction may depend on a range of factors, including grid connection options, availability of engineering and environmental data, and market conditions. These matters are being examined in consultation with the offshore wind industry with a view to bringing the sites to auction from 2026 onwards.

Separately, just last week, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I announced the publication of the national DMAP proposal and accompanying public participation statement. That national DMAP will ultimately designate renewable energy sites around Ireland’s coast that are suitable for offshore wind development, including fixed, floating and floating demonstration locations. The proposal set out information on the scope of the overall plan, timeframes and the required steps in the development of the DMAP over the next two years, as well as the Government’s commitment to extensive and inclusive consultation with the public and stakeholders throughout the process.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I appreciate the efforts that are being made by his Department to progress the south coast DMAP options. I welcome the fact that the first offshore wind option for Tonn Nua areas is expected to begin shortly, with the contracts to be awarded before the end of the year. This is significant progress since the south coast DMAP was first approved last October but it is important that we continue this progress with the development of the other areas of Lí Ban, Manannán and Danu. The development of offshore wind is vital in ensuring our climate change targets and this project promotes sustainability and the security and reliability of supply. I therefore ask the Minister that the remaining options be progressed as soon as possible.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I know the Deputy's interest and concern in this from conversations and consultations that I, other Ministers and the Department have had with those who will seek to build out these facilities. The next auction, as I said, will be later this year. We are hopeful there will be a number of bidders. The important thing then for those who do not win is that they see a further opportunity. One will obviously win. There may be three, four or whatever number of others. It is important from our perspective that we can show that there is a pipeline of opportunities for the others to follow quickly. We are very conscious of that. Some work has to be done between the Department and EirGrid to develop options for further connecting the grid to lead on to those three sites within the overall DMAP. It is about giving certainty, first of all, that the Government is absolutely committed to offshore renewables and then showing that there is a pipeline, not just with those additional three but also around our coastline, as we progress towards 2040, by which point we have commitments to generate up to 20 GW of electricity off our shoreline. We are keenly aware of the necessity to do exactly as the Deputy has identified and I thank him for his interest in that area.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister of State provide further information on the exact board of the implementation programme body, IPB? I understand that the IPB is set up to oversee the south coast DMAP but what is the exact make-up of the group and how often have they met to date? I believe the IPB is supported in its work by a marine ecosystems group and other working groups, which will develop an implementation plan and recommend the scope of regional land surveys. Has the membership of this group been decided yet, and if so, has an implementation plan been presented?

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have that information available to me today but I am happy to come back to the Deputy directly with it.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate that.