Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the outcomes of the recent North Seas Energy Cooperation meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45766/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) aims to advance development of offshore renewable energy in the geographical area of the North Seas, including the Irish and Celtic Seas. Through enhanced regional cooperation on developing common offshore trading rules and offshore grids, the NSEC can enable its members, including Ireland, to maximise our common offshore resource.

At a meeting that took place in Dun Laoighaire on 12 September, under the Irish Co-Presidency, NSEC members announced a significant increase in their collective ambition in the deployment of offshore renewable energy. The nine NSEC countries, with support from the European Commission, have agreed to reach at least 260 GW of offshore wind energy by 2050, which will represent more than 85% of the EU-wide ambition of reaching 300GW.

In a Joint Statement issued by Energy Ministers and the European Commission, the NSEC members further agreed to speed up regulatory and permit granting procedures for offshore renewables, while ensuring a balanced co-existence of renewable energy and a healthy marine ecosystem, and the economic wellbeing of local communities.

Ministers and the Commission further agreed that a new Memorandum of Understanding between the NSEC and the UK, providing for offshore renewables cooperation, should be completed as soon as possible, and ideally before the conclusion of the Irish Presidency of NSEC by end 2022.