Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with reference to solar panel farms, that they would be required to locate on un-used marginal land or upland, rather than prime agricultural land that is required for farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6802/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government reaffirms Ireland’s ambitious targets of 8GW of solar energy by 2030 in order to support our target of 80% of electricity demand supplied by renewables.

Ireland now has circa 1.4GW of solar energy generation with significant further development needed to support Ireland’s economic growth and meet our growing energy demands.

As part of the Programme for Government, we have committed to introducing planning guidelines for solar farms which support and provide certainty in the development of solar energy in agriculture. Planning matters fall within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Under the aegis of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, officials from my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are developing a supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply which will deliver a regional balance and distribution of renewable technologies, including solar.

The second phase of the Land Use Review, which is currently underway, will seek to identify the key demands on land (both public and private) to inform policies for land use across key government objectives, improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes.

Solar energy has a strong role to play in providing income diversification for farmers with opportunities for farmers to generate their own indigenous renewable energy from micro and small scale renewable projects as well as receive income from larger scale developments. Development of grid scale solar can include co-location with agricultural activities leading to a net reduction in emissions and supporting land-use diversification options for farmers.