Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the progression of restoration works across the national electricity network following recent storm events; and the measures that have been taken to ensure timely reconnection for affected communities and critical infrastructure. [48556/25]

Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps have that been taken to enhance the resilience of Ireland’s electricity grid in light of increasingly frequent extreme weather events; and the way in which his Department is working with ESB Networks and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to future-proof major supply lines. [48557/25]

Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the measures being taken to protect overhead electricity line corridors from environmental risks such as forestry encroachment; and the way in which these efforts are being coordinated with local authorities and landowners. [48564/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 134 and 135 together.

Following Storm Éowyn, I asked ESB Networks to prepare as a priority a Winter 2025 Resilience Plan to enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations for the upcoming winter. This has been progressing since April and the actions include:-

1. ESB-N has made hazards safe and progressed remedial works needed to refurbish the network.
2. ESB-N continues to work with Coillte and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to identify segments of the network at highest future risk. Timber harvesters have been procured and during the summer began to cut timber according to this prioritisation.
3. Emergency stocks of spare parts and materials are being replenished.
4. Staffing levels and available contractor resources are being increased through provision of targeted training programmes. In addition, my Department has progressed the issue of permits for skilled workers from outside the EU to advance urgent forestry work.
5. ESB-N is leading a working group at EU level to establish formal arrangements for mutual aid during extreme weather events.