Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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117. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment given Ireland's immense potential for offshore renewable energy and the production of green hydrogen, the specific steps he is taking to accelerate these initiatives and how he plans to position Ireland as a leader in the EU market for green hydrogen, thereby creating much-needed revenue for the State. [6740/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has the natural resources to become a world leader in the production of green energy. With our location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland’s coast is potentially one of the most energy productive in Europe. Ireland has a sea area approximately seven times the size of our landmass, with wind resources which are amongst the best in the world. Hydrogen represents one of the best ways of capturing these resources. If Ireland can harness the opportunities offered by renewable hydrogen, we can achieve our goals of a zero-carbon, secure energy system and potentially become an exporter to the emerging hydrogen markets establishing across Europe.

The National Hydrogen Strategy, published in July 2023, sets out our strategic vision on the role that renewable hydrogen will play in Ireland’s energy system and as a key component of our net-zero economy. There are 21 actions set out within the Strategy to enable the development of the hydrogen sector in Ireland, which aim to remove barriers to early hydrogen project developments and to enhance our knowledge through targeted research and innovation across the hydrogen value chain, laying the groundwork to deliver on our long-term strategic vision. These actions have varying timelines for completion spanning from 2024 to 2030.

A key work strand to develop a detailed implementation plan for the multi-year work programme set out in the Strategy and ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place to support delivery of the actions set out within the Strategy, is due to be finalised shortly. Once completed, further clarity on the status of all actions set out within the Strategy will be communicated.