Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
75. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to develop carbon capture and storage technologies in Ireland; if any private companies are carrying out CCS in Ireland; how CCS is regulated and monitored if carried out by private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8701/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government in December 2023 approved the Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP 24). This is now subject to a public consultation and a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Within CAP 24, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies are recognised as means of mitigating emissions from hard to abate activities. CAP24 proposals include the establishment of a Carbon Capture and Removals Working Group by the end of Q2 2024 to advance the policy position. The Department is currently unaware of any private companies carrying out CCUS at scale in Ireland.
Directive 2009/31/EC on the geological storage of carbon dioxide provides a regulatory framework for the safe transport and storage of carbon dioxide. This includes requirements for site selection, operation, closure and post-closure of storage sites. This Directive was transposed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, as S.I. No. 575/2011 - European Communities (Geological Storage of Carbon dioxide) Regulations 2011 and will inform the regulation of CCUS when carried out in Ireland.
