Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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160. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department will open an investigation into the slow restoration of electricity services in the wake of Storm Éowyn; how his Department will mitigate storm impacts moving forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38632/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The damaging, dangerous and destructive nature of Storm Éowyn on 24 January 2025 was unprecedented, causing widespread power outages and leaving the electricity grid destroyed in parts due to broken poles, lines and wires. At the peak, 768,000 customers were without electricity supply. This is double the amount of electricity outages experienced during any previous storm. It also had a far larger impact on other critical infrastructure than any previous storm, with telecoms and water being severely impacted.

The response was coordinated by the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG), chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as the Lead Government Department for severe weather emergencies. Severe weather plans for the electricity system were implemented, with both EirGrid and ESB Networks (ESB-N) preparing the electricity system for significant damage. Subgroups were subsequently established under the NECG. The Subgroup on Infrastructure/the Generators Subgroup, and the Subgroup on Humanitarian Support ensured that a key focus was placed on restoring power to critical services such as telecoms and water through the prioritisation of reconnections. 

The NECG convened on a daily basis for several weeks during the response and recovery period, with the Subgroups also meeting on a regular basis, to facilitate robust communication and information sharing throughout.

Following the recovery period, Government asked ESB-N to prepare a Winter 2025 Resilience Plan as a priority. The plan, to be implemented between March and October 2025, will enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations before the upcoming winter.

A Subgroup of the Energy Security Group was established to manage the engagement between ESB-N, my Department and other stakeholders, as required. This group met on four occasions between 12 February and 5 March to build a broader understanding of the complex issues impacting grid resilience and work with ESB-N to determine the actions that would be undertaken as part of the plan.

The plan sets out the following actions to build resilience in the electricity network ahead of Winter 2025:

1. Surveying the electricity network following the storm, making hazards safe and identifying remedial works needed to refurbish network weakened by the recent storms. My Department is assisting consultation between ESB-N and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), to streamline planning compliance associated with maintenance of electrical infrastructure in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas while remaining compliant with European and domestic legislation governing this area.
2. ESB-N will continue to work with Coillte and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to identify segments of the network at highest risk of further windfall. Analysis of customers most affected by windfall has identified priority areas for remediation. Overhead line equipment is being refurbished in areas most damaged by the storm and hedgerow timber is being cut.
3. Emergency stocks of spare parts and materials are to be replenished and doubled in size by October 2025.
4. Staffing levels and available contractor resources are to be increased through provision of targeted training programmes via the Education and Training Boards. In conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, my Department has progressed the issue of permits for skilled workers from outside the EU to advance urgent forestry work. Innovation projects planned for 2025 and 2026, such as assessing the viability and benefits of trussing of wood poles and increasing pole height, have been identified for acceleration before Winter 2025.
5. Given the support received from other utilities across Europe in assisting with Storm Éowyn restoration, ESB-N is working to strengthen relationships with European colleagues through the development and signing of mutual storm support memoranda of understanding before October 2025.
6. ESB-N has commenced the process of a formal Storm Review, which may identify additional recommendations to be implemented in advance of future storms.