Written answers

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Renewable Energy Generation

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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179. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when the renewable heat obligation legislation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35807/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Government Decision (S180/20/10/2704) adopting sectoral emissions ceilings, it was agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to ensure the increased use of renewable fuel types across the full heating sector, with the primary aim of supporting the achievement of Ireland's heating and cooling targets at national and EU levels.

The development of the RHO is a key priority for my Department and the necessary analysis and impact assessment which has informed the design of the RHO, and the RHO High-level Scheme has been finalised. My Department is now preparing the RHO Heads of Bill for submission to Government shortly and, once approved by Government, drafting of the RHO primary legislation will commence.

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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180. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the alternative steps he is considering if in the event that the soon-to-be-published renewable heat obligation fails to achieve TRIS approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35808/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The development of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key priority for my Department and the necessary analysis and impact assessment which has informed the design of the RHO has now been finalised. This included consideration of ways to incentivise the domestic production of biomethane which identified the use of a multiplier for related certificates.

EU Directive 2015/1535 requires Member States to notify all draft technical regulations concerning industrially manufactured products and agricultural products through the online Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) before they are adopted into national law. My Department is now preparing the RHO Heads of Bill for submission to Government in July, and once approved by Government, drafting of the RHO primary legislation for submission on TRIS will commence. My Department continues to engage with the European Commission to ensure successful and timely closure of the TRIS process ahead of the introduction of the scheme.

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