Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 March 2010
64 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce legislation to facilitate the development of offshore wind energy; and if so the timescale for same. [10168/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra93 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce legislation to facilitate the development of offshore wind energy; the timeframe for the legislation; the position regarding offshore wind here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10109/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 93 together.
Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, responsibility for certain foreshore functions transferred to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with effect from 15 January last. This includes all energy related developments (including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy) on the foreshore.
My colleague, Minister Gormley, has made clear that he will introduce legislative change aimed at better integrating the foreshore consent processes with the planning processes under the Planning Acts. This will include the new planning regime for offshore renewable energy developments, taking account of the National Offshore Renewable Energy Plan which is to be submitted by my Department to the EU Commission by next June. My Department is working closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the new regime that will reflect national and EU renewable energy objectives while taking account of the interests of stakeholders in the marine resource.
Both Departments will work with the Department of Finance, the Attorney General's Office and other relevant Departments as well as EirGrid, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), in the delivery of the new regime.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Irish offshore renewable energy resources is being undertaken by the SEI at my Department's request. This will complement and inform the design of the new offshore framework. The SEA process is being overseen by a steering group comprising my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, SEI and the Marine Institute.
I intend to bring forward shortly a policy blueprint for the development of the renewable energy offshore resource encompassing ocean and wind energy. Ireland's National Offshore Renewable Energy Plan to be submitted to the EU Commission by next June will include our plans for offshore renewable energy. It will also take account of the significant impetus being given to offshore renewable energy at European level. Our work as part of the North Seas Countries Offshore Initiative together with the forthcoming EU Strategic Energy Review will focus on the priority interconnection needs across Member States. The Plan will also reflect ongoing co-operation with the UK and Northern Ireland through the ISLES project and under the British-Irish Council.
I look forward to meeting with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security in the coming weeks to set out my vision for the renewable energy resource and the actions underway to deliver on the potential including a fit for purpose planning regime.
