Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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108. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress on publishing the regulations for anaerobic digesters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59354/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Government has committed to an ambitious target for indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. In response, my Department, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published the National Biomethane Strategy in May 2024.

Anaerobic digestion (AD), although a very well-established technology in Europe with over 20,000 plants in operation, is a relatively new and unknown technology in Ireland. Implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy is an on-going process of collaboration across key Government Departments and Agencies. The Biomethane Implementation Group has been established to oversee implementation of the strategy and delivery of the 25 key strategic actions to ensure the necessary infrastructure and supports are in place to underpin development of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale.

While anaerobic digestors, used to produce biomethane, can bring significant benefits to the communities and local environment in which they are located, they are also significant infrastructure which impact local communities. Priority deliverables under the strategy include developing guidance to support Local Authorities when assessing AD plants with planning applications. This action will be delivered through collaboration among relevant Departments and Agencies.

The Irish biomethane sector is already a well-regulated sector. Planning permission, licences and permits are required from a number of Agencies. Environmental licences are required from the Environmental Protection Agency, with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine responsible for animal-by-product licences and feedstock regulation. Onsite health and safety and connection to the gas network are regulated through the Health and Safety Authority, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and Gas Networks Ireland respectively.

AD and other integrated assets are required to undergo a full planning process to ensure proper consideration of a range of factors including location, visual impact, land-zoning plans, and ecology. Guidelines and requirements for these are currently set out through several acts, policy documents, spatial strategies, and development plans. Projects above a certain threshold are also required to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment.