Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the consultation on private wires/direct line renewables will be released; his plans for the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/23]
View answerClimate Action Plan 23 includes a commitment to carry out a public consultation on Private Wires and a deadline for publication of Q4 2023 has been set. Private wires are an issue that is of interest and importance to many stakeholders. The policy area of Private Wires is broad in nature and as such detailed consideration must go into formulating the consultation in order to ensure that all aspects of the policy area are considered.
Publishing a consultation and, ultimately, providing a clear policy position on the issue of Private Wires is a priority for my Department. Work on this policy area is ongoing within my Department with my officials engaging directly in recent months with interested stakeholders as part of the consultation formulation process. The consultation will be published imminently however at this point I am not able to provide a publication date.
My officials look forward to their continued engagement with interested stakeholders as they continue to develop this important policy area.
