Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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12. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the stage the proposed geothermal energy Bill is at; the further length of time his Department plans to take in finalising the Bill; when the Bill will be produced in view of the fact that the geological survey of Ireland is fully complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20981/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am keen to ensure that a modern, robust policy and regulatory framework is in place to support the increased use of geothermal energy in Ireland. In this regard, I announced plans for developing such a framework for the sector. On 18 November 2020 my Department published two papers, available at gov.ie

- An Assessment of Geothermal Energy for District Heating in Ireland; and

- Geothermal Energy in Ireland, A roadmap for a policy and regulatory framework.

As set out in the roadmap above and in Action 196 of the Interim Climate Actions published on 23 March, 2021 the next steps in progressing the policy and regulatory framework being undertaken by my Department include:

- further research and acquisition of additional data to improve our understanding of geothermal potential led by Geological Survey Ireland (Q3 2021);

- the development of a draft policy statement on geothermal energy to be published for consultation (Q4 2021);

- a final policy for Government consideration (Q2 2022); and, if approved;

- preparation of supporting legislation setting out the new regulatory framework (Q3 2022 onwards).