The development of renewable energy is an important issue. Therefore, it is useful to have the opportunity to update Members of the Dáil on the status of planning guidance with regard to wind and solar energy development. From a planning perspective, the programme for Government contains commitments to prioritise the publication of the wind energy development guidelines and to introduce new planning guidelines for solar energy development. With regard to the wind energy development guidelines, the review is addressing a number of key aspects of the guidelines, including setback distance, noise, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. The review aims to strike an appropriate balance between addressing the concerns of local communities by ensuring there is greater and earlier community engagement by wind energy developers. While the review of the guidelines has been ongoing for years – it has been going on too long - significant progress has been made towards concluding the review process. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in conjunction with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the guidelines. This work, which is highly technical in nature, is substantially complete. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will ensure that the final guidelines, once published, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, while having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development. The evolving policy and technical context, including the Planning and Development Act 2024 and the first revision of the national planning framework, reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose. Also included in the programme for Government is a commitment to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of these guidelines, including the possible timeframe for publication. Until the finalisation of solar panel development guidelines, it will remain the case that, as with the large majority of development types, there are no specific planning guidelines to deal with solar energy development. In line with the EU directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment is being carried out on the draft wind guidelines and will be carried out on any draft solar guidelines. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage intends to undertake a public consultation on any draft guidelines, for either wind or solar, before they are finalised whereby individuals, communities and organisations will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft guidelines. Finalised guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase. With regard to biogas or anaerobic digestion, the current planning system provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the proper planning and sustainable development of developments, which may be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the relevant county development plan and Government policy, as applicable. In that context, there are currently no plans at present to introduce statutory planning guidelines for these development types.

Sentiment score: 0.36

Deputy O’Hara knows that I represent a constituency that is very similar to his. I attended a number of meetings there during the summer. I understand all the concerns and issues he has highlighted because I have heard them in my constituency. I am also advocating on behalf of my constituents. They want to see the new wind energy guidelines published as soon as possible. The delay has been completely unacceptable. I referred to that in my opening statement. When the guidelines are published, they will be part of what will be considered when planning applications are lodged, but there are many other factors planning authorities consider when they look at planning applications. As Deputy O'Hara knows from his days on the local authority, permitted developments follow the zoning matrix within a county development plan. As local authority councillors prepare county development plans, they have a significant input and say into the zoning contained within a development plan. They have a major role to play. The guidelines are very important but zoning is even more important. That is what I said at the public meetings in my constituency. I agree with Deputy O'Hara. I am advised that the guidelines are at a very advanced stage and that they will go to public consultation. I am hopeful that we will see them very shortly. That is what Deputy O'Hara and his constituents want to see, and it is what my constituents and I want to see.

Sentiment score: 0.13

I thank Deputy Lawlor for raising this important topic. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport, but neither he nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. Statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority, NTA. The latter works with the public transport operators that deliver the services and that have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts. However, unlike PSO services - where the NTA sets, monitors, and regulates fares - services operated by commercial bus operators fall outside this remit. Fares on services run by commercial bus operators are determined independently by the operators and are a purely commercial decision. That said, I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including children. Under the programme for Government, our commitments include the roll-out of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children. In recent years, the Government has introduced a range of fare initiatives aimed at improving the affordability of and access to public transport, while also encouraging increased usage across all age groups. These measures include the 90-minute fare, the 20% fare discount on PSO services, and the young adult card, YAC. Notably, the YAC scheme has been broadened to include eligible services operated by commercial bus operators. Specifically, in budget 2025, the Government approved the extension of free travel to children aged five to eight years on State-subvented PSO services, with the application portal formally opening on 3 September 2025. This targeted initiative is designed to encourage children to start using public transport from an early age. The Government decision to expand this initiative did not include broadening this measure to commercial bus operators. As is the case with all such budgetary measures, any decisions regarding potential future fare reductions are a matter for the Government and are considered within the context of the available fiscal parameters and the medium-term fiscal plan.

Sentiment score: 0.30

This year, the NTA introduced a new distance based zonal fare structure for the greater Dublin area. This move aims to make fares equitable, more consistent and easier to understand with significant reductions for many commuting from outer areas aligning prices more closely with distance travelled. I acknowledge the vital role commercial bus operators play in the overall public transport network by providing essential connectivity that complements that delivered under the public service obligation programme. I assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to making public transport as accessible and equitable as possible. The Minister for Transport has met, and will continue to meet and listen to, the representatives of the commercial operators. While fare initiatives have delivered clear benefits for passengers, they also carry financial implications, emphasising the need to balance affordability with long-term sustainability of the public transport system. Any decision regarding fare initiatives will be a matter for Government decision during the annual Estimates process. The equity point the Deputy made is valid. I will relay and press it upon the Minister and the Government.

Sentiment score: 0.30

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. The programme for Government commits to securing a thriving and resilient seafood sector. The appointment of a Minister of State with responsibility across fisheries and the marine to co-ordinate and integrate these key policy areas, in addition to the establishment of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, underpins the dedication of the Government in this regard. Bord lascaigh Mhara, BIM, in its business of seafood report 2024 offers a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of the seafood sector. The report states that the Irish seafood industry is valued at €1.24 billion, an increase of 4% on 2023. Almost 8,000 people are directly employed across the fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors. This rises to almost 17,000 people when indirect employment is included. Fish landings in Ireland were valued at €461 million in 2024, with €325 million of that figure coming from Irish vessels. The report also shows a value growth of 25% in the aquaculture sector. These figures demonstrate the ability of the sector to adjust to a changing environment when supported with strategic investment, both public and private. Through the seafood development programme, the Government is delivering essential support to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability and employment across the sector. This programme is cofunded by the Government and the European Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF, 2021-2027. Separate to the seafood development programme, the Department also funds supports and services provided by Bord Bia to the agrifood sector, including seafood. Funding supports are also provided to the commercial seafood sector by Enterprise Ireland and by Údarás na Gaeltachta. In May, agreement was reached between the EU and UK on extending the existing arrangements for reciprocal access to fish in each other’s waters for a 12-year period up to June 2038. This is significantly longer than the four years sought by the UK and, crucially, did not involve any additional transfer of quota from the EU to the UK. Ireland carried a disproportionate burden of the quota transfers to the UK under the trade and co-operation agreement. However, the extension of the reciprocal access period will provide certainty and stability for the seafood sector. This will allow our sector to make sustainable, long-term decisions for their businesses. We will continue to highlight the issue of the disproportionate burden-sharing with both the Commissioner and other member states. We will pursue every opportunity at EU level to increase the available quotas for our fishing fleet. The European Commission’s evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy regulation is currently ongoing. During the Department's first meeting with the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, the Minister of State emphasised to him the importance of this evaluation in addressing the impacts of Brexit on our fishing sector. Since the Minister of State was appointed, he has engaged regularly with the seafood sector. He has visited four of the State’s fishery harbour centres: Killybegs, Castletownbere, Ros an Mhíl and Howth. He intends to visit Dingle and Dunmore East in the near future. He has also engaged directly with all recognised stakeholder representative groups across the catching, aquaculture and processing sectors. The programme for Government commits to publishing a five-year fisheries sector strategy. To progress this, the Minister of State has engaged Mr. Kieran Mulvey as a facilitator to work with seafood representatives in order to identify and articulate issues, priorities and opportunities for the sector. This engagement is ongoing.

Sentiment score: 0.30

I again thank the Deputy for raising this issue, specifically in relation to Howth Harbour. He has rightly highlighted the need for the EPA consent, which I will absolutely follow up with my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. As Deputy Brabazon has pointed out quite correctly, it impacts on the commercial sector within the harbour of Howth. It also impacts on the leisure sector and people who are involved in leisure boating. Most importantly, it also impacts on the RNLI service there, which is critical to keeping people safe and is often involved in the rescue and recovery of people who get into distress. The Deputy has made the case very strongly and has articulated it well and I will absolutely follow up with the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, to ensure we can move this project along and ensure the EPA consent is issued post-haste.

Sentiment score: 0.32

I thank both Deputies for raising this important matter. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Transport. From an aviation safety perspective the regulation of the recreational and commercial use of drones, which are also known technically as unmanned aircraft systems, UAS, is provided for under the European Union regulations that are directly applicable in Ireland. Two drone-specific EU regulations ensure drone operations across Europe are safe and secure. The two regulations are the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. These set out common rules for the regulation of drones and drone operators including training, licensing and registration. Regulation 2019/947 sets operational rules that apply to both professional drone operators and those flying drones for leisure. Regulation 2019/945 sets the common EU-wide technical requirements for drones and the features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely. This regulation also seeks to foster investment and innovation in this sector through a harmonised framework across the European Union. The aim of the EU drone regulations is to achieve the same level of safety for drone operations as in manned aviation. The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation regulator, oversees the implementation of the EU drone regulations and standards. The drone regulations are operation-centric and focus on the risk of drone operations, so regulation is lighter on low-risk operations and more demanding on higher-risk operations. Drone delivery operations are closely regulated from an aviation safety perspective. These types of commercial drone operations may fall into the medium-risk "specific" category which may require specific authorisation by the Irish Aviation Authority. This type of authorisation is recognised in all EU member states. To obtain an operational authorisation an operator must provide a comprehensive safety portfolio, which includes assessing and addressing both ground and air risks with appropriate mitigations. These might include, for example, co-ordination with air traffic control and fitting the drone with a parachute and flight termination system. At a national level S.I. No. 24 of 2023, the Irish Aviation Authority (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)) Order 2023 came into force on 2 February 2023 and replaced an earlier drones order. It sets out the investigative and enforcement powers of the Irish Aviation Authority and provides for arrangements between An Garda Síochána and the IAA in relation to enforcement of EU drone regulations. It also includes a section on privacy rights, which draws the attention of drone operators to the preparation of a data protection impact assessment, where required, in accordance with the EU general data protection regulation. In addition to complying with EU drone regulations, drone operators must comply with national laws including environmental, planning and privacy laws. While there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place from an aviation safety perspective, there are areas where the rapid pace of expansion of UAS operations has resulted in gaps and uncertainty. The Government, which was aware that the impact of a growing UAS sector needed further consideration, included in the programme for Government a commitment to guide high-level strategic planning and development of the UAS sector in Ireland. The recent publication of the policy framework for unmanned aircraft systems is the first step in fulfilling that commitment. The policy framework aims to guide high-level strategic planning and development of the UAS sector in Ireland through supporting growth and innovation, while ensuring safe and secure operations and managing environmental and other concerns. The policy framework proposes a number of structures and actions that aim to address concerns in relation to increasing UAS usage and operations in balance with the realisation of the economic and societal benefits of the emerging UAS sector. Planning for the implementation of the policy framework is under way at the Department of Transport.

Sentiment score: 0.21

I am aware that the rapid pace of expansion of UAS operations has resulted in challenges and generated real concerns and uncertainty among communities, particularly around issues of noise, intrusion and privacy. The recently published policy framework seeks to identify and address any policy, regulatory or legislative gaps. It aims to facilitate consideration of how matters such as planning and environmental issues will be addressed by the appropriate authorities, including in the context of the expansion of commercial drone delivery services. Implementation of the policy framework relies on cross-government structures and the continuation of engagement and support from various Departments, agencies, the UAS sector, and of course the public. It will facilitate the addressing of matters such as planning and environmental issues, including noise nuisance, by the appropriate authorities. The framework proposes a number of structures and actions that address concerns in relation to increased UAS usage and operations. It proposes 16 actions under three main areas: the use of airspace and planning; compliance and enforcement; and enterprise and innovations. The actions in the policy framework include the establishment of a national working group on UAS geographical zones to develop transparent processes and procedures for the designation of UAS geographical zones; the safe management of the integration of UAS into our airspace and the impact on society and the environment; the establishment of a national U-space steering group to develop an action plan for the implementation of U-space; the establishment of a UAS enterprise and innovation leadership group to foster the development of a robust ongoing policy on innovation and commercialisation; and the introduction of fixed charge offences for infringement of UAS regulations to augment the extensive enforcement provisions in aviation, civil and criminal law already on the Statute Book. All of that planning for the implementation of the framework policy is under way.

Sentiment score: 0.11