Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
362. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is responsible for introducing renewable acceleration areas into planning law; if so, when this will be done; and if it will require primary legislation or regulations. [22853/24]
View answerDirective (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 Oct 2023, known as the Renewable Energy Directive III ('RED III') for the promotion of energy from renewable sources, entered into force in November 2023. RED III amends Directive (EU) 2018/2001, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and Directive 98/70/EC and repeals Council Directive (EU) 2015/652.
The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is the lead Department with overall responsibility for ensuring transposition of this Directive. The planning system will play an important role in ensuring the Renewable Energy Directive III is comprehensively transposed and implemented. On that basis, my Department is working closely with colleagues in DECC on transposition measures as appropriate.
Article 16a of the Directive provides for renewable acceleration areas and providing for such areas will likely require amendments to planning law. My Department is working closely with colleagues in DECC on these provisions in order to meeting the deadline for transposition of this Article, which is 21 May 2025.
