Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he will implement to ensure adequate safety measures are in place in relation to the development of battery energy storage systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34560/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Climate Action Plan (action EL/24/16), the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland was published by my Department in July 2024.

Chapter four of the Policy Framework provides an overview of the existing safety and regulatory framework in place for grid scale electricity storage systems, including battery electricity storage systems in the European and Irish contexts. Given the wide-ranging nature of grid-scale electricity storage safety and regulation and its spread across the remits of various Government Departments, the chapter also provides the roles and remits of various regulatory authorities and organisations in relation to standards, planning, construction, licensing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.

EU Directive (2023/1542) – ‘Concerning Batteries & Waste Batteries’, sets out the homogenisation of electricity storage standards and classification as well as safety testing and certification requirements relevant to grid-scale electrical storage systems, including Battery Electricity Storage System. Ireland conforms to EU legislation.