Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together. I propose to take Question Nos 144 and 155  together.

There are currently two new electricity interconnectors under development to link Ireland's electricity system to France (Celtic interconnector) and to Wales (Greenlink interconnector).

A revision of the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation has taken place over the last 12 months to facilitate the increased climate objectives contained in the European Green Deal.  Following agreement over a provisional revision of the TEN-E Regulation between negotiators of the Council Presidency and the European Parliament on 15 December, it is anticipated that the revised regulation will be approved by the Council and Parliament during the coming months.

This revised regulation will subsequently form the legislative basis for selection of the 6th EU Projects of Common Interest (PCI) list for energy infrastructure during 2023-24. The increased focus on the establishment of offshore grids contained in the provisional revised TEN-E Regulation has been strongly advocated for by Ireland during discussions at Council over the last 12 months.

The decision to apply for inclusion on the 6th PCI list will be a matter for individual project promoters of eligible energy infrastructure, including proposed new electricity interconnectors between Ireland and neighbouring countries. It is important to note that my Department will continue to support development of regional offshore grids through the establishment of an appropriate policy framework, engagement with viable proposed new offshore infrastructure projects, and working groups within the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), of which Ireland will hold the rotating Presidency during 2022.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Government policy and the offshore renewable energy motion approved by the Dáil on 8 December are aligned in their objective to maximise Ireland’s offshore renewable energy potential and associated economic opportunities, including those opportunities that will accrue to local coastal communities. In the period since 8 December, the following offshore renewable energy related milestones, which are necessary to facilitate realisation of the 5 GW of installed offshore wind by 2030 objective set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021, have been achieved by Government: - The Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021, was signed into law by the President on the 23 December 2021. The Act represents the biggest reform of marine governance since the foundation of the State and establishes in law a new planning regime for the maritime area. The new consenting regime under the Act will be a key enabler of decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy sources and the development of offshore energy.

- Government has committed to the establishment of the new agency, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, by Q1 2023. This agency will inter alia be responsible for assessing applications for Maritime Area Consents by prospective renewable energy projects, which will be a first step that is required for development within Ireland’s maritime area.

- A public consultation on the draft terms and conditions for the first offshore wind auction has been completed. Following assessment of the many consultation responses received, I will seek Government approval on the final terms and conditions later this year. The draft terms and conditions include a mandated community benefit contribution level of €2/MWh, with these obligations to accrue to hosting communities prior to project construction. In order to capture greater local economic and employment benefits, operations and maintenance facilities for projects supported in the first offshore auction will be required to be headquartered in an Irish or Northern Irish port. 

- A public consultation was launched on 20 December regarding the process for Phase Two projects to participate in subsequent offshore wind auctions which will be necessary to meet Government’s 5GW target by the end of this decade.

- A Policy Statement setting out the strategy for commercial ports to facilitate offshore renewable energy activity in the seas around Ireland was published by the Department of Transport on 20 December.