Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his Department's plans for facilities at a location (details supplied) to service the erection of offshore wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14790/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises that the west coast of Ireland holds significant potential for the development of floating offshore wind energy, with its vast wind resources and deep waters. Ireland has set ambitious targets to achieve 5GW of offshore renewable energy generation by 2030 with a further target of 20GW by 2040 and 37GW by 2050 as set out in the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy Policy Statement 2024. The development of floating offshore wind is crucial for Ireland to meet its 2040 and 2050 climate targets.

To deliver our offshore wind energy ambitions, the Government is implementing a plan-led approach which is being overseen by a cross-Government Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce. My Department established the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Ports Facilitation Division in 2024 to facilitate development of enabling ORE port infrastructure particularly at commercial State ports. This division represents the Department of Transport on the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce.

Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) is a commercial State port that is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in Ireland's renewable energy transition. With its deep-water facilities and proximity to the Atlantic wind resource, SFPC is progressing plans to develop infrastructure to support offshore wind projects. The Foynes Island development, part of SFPC’s Vision 2041 masterplan, aims to serve as an integration and pre-commissioning base for offshore wind turbines, as well as a multi-purpose terminal, supporting general cargo operations from the inner port at Foynes. This proposed expansion aligns with SFPC's goal to become a global hub for floating offshore wind and renewable energy logistics while also enabling the growth of SFPC’s existing operations to help to alleviate the national constraint on 'lift-on-lift-off' (LoLo) cargo capacity that is expected to arise in the future.

The proposed development will consist of an 800m long terminal, 400m of which will facilitate marshalling and assembly of offshore wind components with the additional 400m acting as a multi-purpose terminal. The proposed quay will be complemented by a 25 hectare hard-standing area. My Department will continue to engage with the port in relation to consenting issues and assisting in the identification of financing options for the development of this key piece of infrastructure. In this regard the Port has received initial funding from the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport funding towards a feasibility study for the new deep-water berth at Foynes Island.

The work of my Department to facilitate offshore renewable energy enabling port infrastructure can be further evidenced by the signing of an agreement in 2024 with the European Investment Bank (EIB), whereby the EIB will provide advisory support for the development of ORE port projects in Ireland.