John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the guidelines in place for community engagement when a biomethane plant is proposed in an area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6971/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The National Biomethane Strategy, published in May 2024, outlines the necessary supports and structures required to achieve Government’s target of 5.7 TWh of indigenous biomethane production by 2030. One area of importance identified within the strategy is the need for community engagement, which is directly linked to actions requiring the development of a Communications Strategy and Online Information Hub. To meet the ambition of the 5.7 TWh target, the number of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities in Ireland will need to increase, and my Department is committed to ensuring community engagement to offer information and support in relation to this developing industry.

The Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, is developing a Communications Strategy to help educate communities on the benefits of biomethane and the measures which will be taken to ensure sustainable production. The online Information Hub will promote the sharing of accurate information and will be easily accessible to all key stakeholders, including members of the public.

The Biomethane Sustainability Charter, due to be published shortly, will also transparently outline the key principles to guide AD developers in relation to plant operation, management, sustainability and local engagement.