Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if regulations are applicable in relation to the development of facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27776/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Seveso III Directive was implemented by the Chemicals Act and the Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances or COMAH Regulations 2015. The COMAH Regulations have a strong and explicit link to the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulations (CLP). I am advised that, under the CLP, a battery, as part of a battery energy storage system (BESS), is not considered a substance or mixture and is therefore not a dangerous substance under the Seveso of the COMAH regulations. Consequently, the Seveso III Directive does not apply to BESS. The Seveso III Directive is under the remit of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), who lie under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Electricity storage systems, including BESS, improve the overall operation and reliability of the network and are vital assets capable of reinforcing the grid at a regional or local level. The deployment of targeted electricity storage systems is crucial to maximising the integration of renewable electricity, achieving our CAP targets and ultimately improving the affordability of energy to the consumer.

I intend to bring The Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland to Government for Cabinet approval in the coming weeks. This policy addresses the role of electricity storage on the grid network until 2040. It contains 11 Actions that support both the key stakeholders and industry to incorporate the optimum amount of electricity storage to meet our 2030 and 2040 needs and ensures continued engagement with all electricity storage stakeholders in order to meet Ireland’s Net-Zero future.