Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policies or initiatives he is considering from the offshore renewable energy development plan; and the progress of these options. [21838/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Ireland has some of the best offshore renewable resources in Europe, and the development of this abundant resource will be an increasingly important element of Ireland's future energy policies. The 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of this resource. The Plan identifies policy actions and enablers that are key to the development of this sector. Progress on these policy actions and enablers is on-going under the aegis of the Offshore Renewable Energy Steering Group (ORESG). The ORESG, which includes representation from all relevant Government Departments and agencies, is responsible for the implementation of the Plan across three work-streams: Job Creation; Infrastructure; and Environment.  A Working Group for each stream was established with a view to ensuring that offshore renewable energy is developed in line with EU environmental obligations and best practice and significant progress is being made on a number of fronts.

Work items progressed in 2016, and continuing into 2017, include the creation of an inventory of environmental, social and economic data relevant to offshore renewable energy developments; the development of guidance documents for industry on the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements, Natura Impact Statements and on environmental monitoring requirements; and work on mapping opportunities and constraints for the development of offshore renewable energy projects around Ireland. The latter will be a useful tool to help inform future decision making in relation to the most suitable locations for offshore renewable energy development.  A Communications Strategy has also been developed to showcase Ireland’s significant potential and strong offering in this area, to raise the profile of the Irish ocean energy industry and to communicate that Ireland is "open for business".

In addition, legislative proposals for a new streamlined development consent process for offshore renewable energy in the maritime area are being progressed under the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill. 

Finally it should be noted that the OREDP mandates an interim review of the Plan itself and its associated Strategic Environmental Assessment, to be carried out in 2017. This task is being progressed in 2017 and a full review of the OREDP will take place in 2020.