Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider establishing an innovation hub for sustainable aviation in Shannon, County Clare. [25018/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Thank you Deputy. My Department has no current plans to establish an innovation hub for sustainable aviation in Shannon.

The term sustainable aviation is a broad reaching one and can refer to a range of actions by various elements within the aviation industry, such as improved aircraft technology, more efficient air traffic management, the use of sustainable aviation fuels, and the overall greening of our airports.

As a ‘technology taker’ Ireland does not currently have an indigenous aircraft or engine manufacturing industry and is unlikely to play a significant role in the development of new aircraft technology. However, there are a number of considerations relevant to the possibility of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) innovation in the Shannon region, namely its geographic location, close to a potential resource of offshore wind energy, and the existing infrastructure at Shannon Foynes Port.

In terms of policy, the question of SAF development is a very current one. Recently at the European Transport Council a General Approach was agreed among Member States, with support from Ireland, on how to proceed on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal. This will mandate the use of increasing levels of blended SAF between 2025 and 2050, including the introduction of a synthetic aviation fuel sub-mandate in 2030. A clear signal is being sent to industry that the market will be there when they begin to produce these fuels.

The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications will be preparing a national Hydrogen Strategy this year, which should help inform developments in this area. Harnessing wind energy to generate hydrogen by electrolyser technology could potentially provide feedstock for a range of sustainable fuel uses including aviation.

Government has recently established the Shannon Estuary Economic Task Force, under the auspices of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). The Taskforce will consider the strategic strengths and comparative advantages of the Shannon Estuary in the areas of transport and logistics, manufacturing, tourism, and renewable energy. Members of the Task Force include, amongst others, Shannon Group, ESB Generation and Trading, and Shannon Foynes Port. I understand that Wind, Hydro and Solar energy are some of the areas set to be examined, with the group aiming to produce an initial report by November of this year which I look forward to reviewing.