Planning news
Climate Conversations, Real Insights
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in Ireland has published its fourth annual Climate Conversations report, titled Climate Conversations 2024: Deepening our Understanding of Community Climate Action. This report, based on 1,949 online responses from May to September 2024, expands the understanding of Irish communities’ capacity for climate action, building on previous reports and complementing the EPA’s ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ study.
Unlike previous reports that focused on individual barriers, this latest report highlights the extent of community climate action. Key findings include:
- Community engagement: 61% of respondents are already involved in at least one local organisation, with 54% of their community activities incorporating climate action elements. Common initiatives include litter/waste management (31%), active mobility (29%), and land use/forestry (26%).
- Interest in participation: Among those not currently involved, there is substantial interest in future participation, particularly in community gardens (60%), active mobility (58%), and circular economy projects (52%).
- Local knowledge: The research indicates that communities possess valuable local knowledge for developing effective, context-specific climate policies, citing projects like Dingle Peninsula 2030 as examples of successful community-driven solutions.
- Emotional responses: Frustration (67%), worry (54%), and powerlessness (51%) are the dominant emotions regarding climate change among respondents.
- Misconceptions: Misunderstandings persist regarding the most effective actions to reduce carbon emissions, with many underestimating the benefits of electric vehicle adoption.
- Personal responsibility: 76% of respondents feel they could do more to address climate change, an increase from previous findings.
Alongside the report’s publication, the 2025 ‘Climate Conversations’ consultation has been launched, inviting public perspectives on climate action for a period of 12 weeks (June 23, 2025 – September 22, 2025)
ESB ends use of coal for power generation at Moneypoint, Co. Clare
The ESB has ended coal use for power generation, as the Moneypoint station’s last coal-fired unit was converted to heavy fuel oil. This unit will operate temporarily under emergency instructions from EirGrid until March 31, 2029, when it is scheduled for permanent closure. Moneypoint, which historically supplied a third of Ireland’s power, is set to become a major renewable energy hub under ESB’s Green Atlantic plan.
Renewable energy updates
Global Wind Day – 15th June
Global Wind Day raises awareness about wind as a clean, renewable energy source and its role in tackling climate change, reducing carbon emissions and driving sustainable development worldwide. MKO has advised on 3GW+ of onshore and offshore wind projects across Ireland. With one of Ireland’s largest dedicated Renewables teams, MKO is proud to have led the application preparation and submission of approximately 50% of the wind farm capacity consented by An Bord Pleanála in 2024. In 2025, 190+ MW have been consented and 360+ MW were consented last year.
Ireland’s solar energy increased by 160% since 2023
Ireland’s solar energy surged 160% since 2023 and 49% last year, now powering over 370,000 homes and cutting 395,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. May 2025 was a record month, supplying 6.5% of national demand and peaking at 21.1% in May 2025. Recognised as essential national infrastructure, solar energy is forecast to generate €7.3 billion in economic output by 2030, fostering jobs and investment, with over 21 GW of projects in the pipeline.
Ireland launches underwater noise project for greener offshore wind
Ireland has launched the Irish Marine Acoustics Platform (IMAP) project (running until December 2028) to safeguard marine ecosystems from underwater noise pollution, a concern with expanding offshore wind energy. IMAP will establish Ireland’s first systematic underwater acoustic monitoring program with the aim of identifying, managing, and mitigating noise pollution, establishing a baseline for future developments, and ensuring sustainable offshore expansion while protecting marine life.
Safety Guidance Published for Offshore Renewable Energy Installations
The Department of Transport and Irish Coast Guard have published new safety guidance for Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI), particularly offshore wind farms. These documents, which include maritime navigation and search and rescue procedures, aim to ensure high standards of maritime safety for all users and protect the marine environment. The initiative supports Ireland’s ambitious goal of achieving at least 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, emphasising safety throughout the OREI lifecycle.
Policy and legislation
1. Circular 2025/1
The circular, effective as of June 9, 2025, announces the commencement of Chapters 1 and 2 of Part 22 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which establish the initial steps for designating ‘urban development zones’ (UDZs). This new process aims to provide a more flexible approach to master planning and delivering large-scale development and infrastructure, replacing the previous Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) process.
Under these new provisions, planning authorities can identify “suitable sites” within their areas that offer significant economic, social, or environmental benefits to the State and serve the common good. The Land Development Agency and regional assemblies can also propose suitable sites to planning authorities, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage can require planning authorities to identify such sites. While the initial commencement of Chapters 1 and 2 focuses on interpretation and the identification of these suitable sites, future chapters of Part 22 will address the designation of candidate UDZs, planning frameworks, development schemes, and the final UDZ designation.
2. Government review of planning permission exemptions to go to public consultation this summer
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is conducting a review of planning permission exemptions, which is nearing completion, with draft updated Exempted Development Regulations soon to be available for public consultation this summer. This initiative aims to streamline the planning consent process, free up planning resources within Local Authorities by removing applications that do not require extensive review and allow more focus on larger projects.
Proposed exemptions include attic conversions, dwelling subdivisions, extensions for older people, addressing design limitations, and detached modular homes, particularly at the rear of dwellings.
3. An Coimisiún Pleanála – Ireland’s national independent planning body, launched
An Bord Pleanála has been re-established as An Coimisiún Pleanála as of June 18, 2025, operating under Part 17 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. Ministers James Browne and John Cummins emphasised that this is not merely a renaming, but a comprehensive organisational restructuring aimed at modernising the planning body, clarifying roles and responsibilities, streamlining processes, and delivering faster, more consistent decisions. The goal is to embed reform and restore confidence in the planning system, ensuring timely and legally robust decisions for critical infrastructure projects, large-scale residential developments, and delivering on the National Development Plan.
While this development focuses on organisational improvements, further changes to reform and modernise Ireland’s planning system are expected in the coming months as the remaining parts of the Planning and Development Act 2024 are brought into effect.
4. Ministers Browne and Cummins introduce new Bill to ensure full potential of existing planning permissions is realised
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025, introduced by Ministers Browne and Cummins, aims to ensure the full potential of existing planning permissions, especially for housing developments, is realized. The core provisions of the Bill include:
- Extension of Planning Permissions: Allowing for an extension of duration (up to 3 years) for housing development permissions that are nearing their expiration and have not yet commenced, as opposed to the current provision, which allows extensions only for developments that have already begun and are substantially complete. To qualify, permission holders must apply within six months of the legislation commencing and begin building within 18 months of the legislation’s commencement.
- Exclusion of Judicial Review Period: The Bill ensures that the duration of a Judicial Review period will no longer count as part of the effective life of a planning permission. This provision will apply retrospectively to permissions that have already undergone or are currently in Judicial Review, preventing permissions from expiring due to delays caused by this process.
Key consultations per the OPR
Local Area Plans
The following Local Area Plan is now open for public consultation:
Proposed Material Alterations to the Draft Gort Local Area Plan 2025-2031: 22nd May 2025 – 20th June 2025
County Development Plans
The following County Development Plans are now open for public consultation:
Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028: 5th June – 4th July 2025
Proposed Variation No 2 of the Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028: 12th June – 11th July 2025
Proposed Variation No.5 to the Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021 – 2027: 29th May – 27th June 2025
Proposed Variation No.4 to Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028: 9th May – 20th June 2025
Other consultations
Consultation on the Marine Planning Policy Statement: 9th June – 7th July 2025
Climate Conversations 2025 Consultation: 23rd June – 22nd September 2025