Greenlink Interconnector will increase State’s security of supply and help support a net-zero energy transition
 
The Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien has welcomed news that a new subsea electricity interconnector linking Ireland and the UK has commenced operations. The Greenlink Interconnector, a 500 megawatt (MW) project, recently entered its ‘commercial operations’ phase following a successful testing period, and a three-year construction period.
 
In addition to the existing East-West Interconnector – which was commissioned in 2012 – this new interconnector will now double the State’s interconnection capacity to 1 Gigawatt (GW). It marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s journey to a more connected and energy secure Island, while supporting the transition towards a net-zero energy future.
 
Electricity interconnectors provide a way to share electricity between countries, and are valuable back-up power supplies for when electricity systems have reduced capacity. New interconnections also allow for increased energy imports in the case of an adverse shock, which may occur during extreme weather events.
 
The Greenlink Interconnector has also been recognised as a ‘Project of Common Interest’ (PCI) – key cross-border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of European countries, and is considered to be of strategic importance. As a PCI, the project secured funding under the Connecting Europe Facility. Greenlink also facilitates increased energy security, grid resilience, and provides value to energy consumers. It is a vital project for grid system balancing, and will further the integration of renewable energy sources and regional investments.
 
The role of interconnection will increase in importance as the renewable energy sector becomes a larger proportion of supply in the Irish and European electricity system, both in relation to the import and export of electricity. Proposed new interconnection developments, aligned with Ireland’s growing renewable energy sector, will enable the State to transition from a net importer to a net exporter of electricity.
 
In July 2023, the Government published an ambitious ‘National Policy Statement on Electricity  Interconnection’. By 2030, Ireland will have re-established connectivity to mainland Europe through the Celtic Interconnector with France and envisages a further connection to Great Britain. The policy also outlines how the State plans to increase its electricity interconnection capacity by exploring new interconnection opportunities with the continent.
 
Welcoming the Greenlink Interconnector, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“I want to congratulate the team at Greenlink for bringing this critical piece of energy infrastructure for Ireland and the UK to life. I want to thank the CRU, EirGrid and ESB Networks, who have played a crucial role in the consideration and delivery of this project. I also want to thank our UK and Welsh partners for achieving this milestone, and look forward to future collaboration in this area. This project is a tangible expression of our ever-strengthening energy relationship with the UK, and highlights the value and benefits which international energy collaboration can bring.
 
“Increased electricity interconnection will be a key enabler in our growing use of renewable energy, facilitating the delivery of the necessary infrastructure to support our energy ambitions in our journey to a net-zero power system. Interconnection will also play an important role in our transition to become a net energy exporter, making Ireland central to wider European energy plans. The role of interconnection is a large part of our wider energy ambitions, and State is taking an integrated forward planning approach to interconnection, which is aligned with offshore renewable energy forward planning.”
 
The UK’s Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, said:
 
“It is important that Ireland and the UK work together to strengthen our mutual energy security, and drive forward in reaching our clean energy potential.
 
“This cable between Wexford and Wales will help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission and support Ireland's renewable expansion by allowing us to trade more cheaper-to-generate clean energy with each other, helping both nations to move away from volatile fossil fuel markets.”

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal East, Minister Darragh O’Brien, has welcomed today’s announcement by Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary of the expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme to a further 713 primary schools across the country, including 4 additional schools in Dublin Fingal East.
 
Minister O’Brien described the move as a “game-changer for families and school communities,” and said the rollout will ensure even more children in Dublin and beyond benefit from access to a nutritious, hot meal each day at school.
 
“This is a huge step forward for schools and families across Fingal. I’m delighted that 4 more schools in Dublin Fingal East have been approved to begin receiving Hot School Meals from this month,” said Deputy Minister O’Brien.
 
“We know that a hot meal can make a real difference to a child’s ability to focus and participate fully in their school day. This programme supports not only nutrition and wellbeing, but also school attendance and educational outcomes.”
 
The Hot School Meals Programme, which began as a small pilot in just 30 schools, now covers 2,850 primary schools nationwide and is providing hot meals to over 475,000 children. The 4 newly approved Dublin Fingal East schools will be contacted by the Department of Social Protection in the coming days to begin implementation.
 
The 4 Dublin Fingal East schools added to the programme are: Holy Family Senior National School, Swords Educate Together, River Valley Community National School and Gaelscoil Na Mara.
Minister O’Brien also welcomed the announcement that the programme’s nutritional standards will be reviewed and strengthened, with the removal of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods from menus from September 2025.
 
“As well as expanding access, it’s vital we maintain high standards. The upcoming nutritional review and the move to remove unhealthy options will make sure children are getting the best start possible in their day.”
 
Minister O’Brien encouraged any primary schools in Dublin Fingal East not yet signed up to consider participating, and committed to supporting local schools and suppliers as they transition into the scheme.
 
“I’ll continue to work closely with schools and parents here in Dublin Fingal East to make sure this programme delivers for every community. No child should have to worry about being hungry in school.”
 
A full list of the 713 schools approved for Hot School Meals from today, including the 4 in Dublin Fingal East, is available at www.gov.ie/HotSchoolMeals2025.

Local Fianna Fáil Minister Darragh O’Brien has welcomed over €31.5m in funding for major healthcare developments in Swords and the wider North Dublin area, following the publication of the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Capital Plan for 2025.
 
Minister O'Brien said the announcement reflects Fianna Fáil’s continued commitment in Government to strengthening healthcare delivery, supporting system reform, and ensuring more accessible care within communities.
 
He said, “I was delighted to receive confirmation that €30.9m has been allocated under this year's Capital Plan to develop a Surgical Hub facility at Swords Business Park, which will serve the entire region. The Hub is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in November of this year. I understand that this will be followed by a short period of commissioning with the hub expected to become operational later this year or early next year. The facility will include two operating theatres and two minor. Funding has also been earmarked for  procedure rooms including a recovery and post anaesthetic unit as well as associated support services and staff facilities.
 
"In addition, €350,000 has been awarded for the development of a purpose-built High Support Community Residence in Swords, which will provide accommodation for residents relocating from Carlton House while an intensive support disability day service unit on Rathbeale Road will progress through design.
 
“These projects are vital to the continued enhancement of health services for Swords and the wider region. They represent real, tangible progress towards a more responsive, better-resourced healthcare system, one that meets the growing needs of our communities.
 
“I’ll continue to work to ensure these projects progress without delay.”

Minister for Transport and Minister for the Climate, Enviroment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, has welcomed the announcement of 40 additional special classes in Dublin Fingal East for the 2025/2026 school year. These new classes will be located in schools across Malahide, Swords, Donabate, Portrane, and Portmarnock, bringing the total number of special classes in North County Dublin to 342—comprising 256 at primary level and 86 at post-primary level.
 
In addition, Belmayne Community Special School has been confirmed as one of five new special schools set to open nationwide in 2025/2026, to meet the growing demand for specialist education places in North Dublin. There are currently 19 special schools in North County Dublin supporting approximately 1,000 students.
 
Commenting on the expansion, Minister O’Brien said: “It is vital that every student is supported to reach their full potential and that our education system is fully inclusive. Enabling children with special educational needs to access high-quality education is a real priority for this Government.
 
When negotiating the Programme for Government—something I was proud to be part of—our commitment was clear: to continue expanding the number of special schools and special classes across the country, so that children can access education within their own communities.”
Minister O’Brien concluded by acknowledging the community’s efforts:
“I also want to sincerely thank the parents, teachers, and school leaders who have worked so hard on the ground to make this possible. I also want to thank my colleague, Minister Micheál Moynihan, with whom I will continue working to ensure additional special school places are delivered for this area.”

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced that the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road Project has been approved by Cabinet today and will immediately progress to the construction phase.
The project involves the construction of approximately 11km of motorway from the N40 Bloomfield Interchange to Barnahely, with a 1.5km single carriageway protected road linking to the eastern side of Ringaskiddy. This 1.5km section is being undertaken as “advance works” and is already under construction. 
The project will replace the existing N28, which was not designed to accommodate current traffic volumes. It will greatly improve road safety with reduced potential for collisions. 
It will also improve access to the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, allowing for the transfer of port activities from Tivoli in Cork city centre. In turn, this will facilitate the redevelopment of lands at Tivoli for residential and commercial purposes.
The estimated total scheme cost of the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road Project is approximately €456 million and it will take up to three years to complete.
Following today’s cabinet approval Minister Darragh O’Brien said: 
“This major new road project will greatly improve access to the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods to and from the port, while also supporting the additional port activities to Ringaskiddy.
“As a result, lands at Tivoli Docks in Cork city can be repurposed for much-needed residential and commercial development. I also welcome the positive impact the project will have on journey times for commuters as well as its role in easing congestion and improving air quality in Shanbally and Ringaskiddy.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney. said: “This project will deliver improved road safety for all road users travelling to and from Ringaskiddy. I also welcome the fact that it includes a number of active travel elements which will make walking and cycling more attractive to commuters and local residents.”
Minister of State for Transport with responsibility for rural transport, Jerry Buttimer, said: “I welcome the approval of the M28 project. In addition to the benefits it will deliver for access to the port at Ringaskiddy and for road safety, the project will also benefit the people of Cork with further development of bus-based public transport, and by reducing journey times for those on their daily commute.”
“As a TD in Cork South Central, I have engaged with communities and business on this project for decades. I am glad it is being delivered and is a priority for this government.”
Peter Walsh Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), said: “TII welcomes Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien's announcement today. The M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy project upon completion will provide a high-quality motorway standard connection to one of Ireland’s deep-water ports in Ringaskiddy, offering safer travel for all road users and relieve traffic congestion for residents and businesses alike. It will also complete another important link in the Trans‐European Transport Network (TEN-T), a vital transportation network that connects the island of Ireland to the rest of Europe and the world.”
 

Department establishing a cross-Government Energy Affordability Taskforce – to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses
 
Minister Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the Government decision to extend the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity by a further six months – to 31 October. The 9% VAT rate had been due to revert to 13.5% from 1 May.
 
Minister O’Brien recently wrote to Minister Donohoe, expressing support for the continuation of the current reduced rate of VAT on electricity and gas for households. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses, and commits to bringing forward taxation measures to help contain energy costs, including with regard to VAT.
 
Officials from Minister O’Brien’s Department are establishing a cross-Government Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. This will entail both short term measures in preparation for Budget 2026, in addition to more medium and longer-term measures. The estimated savings for households from this extension (€26.60 for electricity, €20.28 for gas) are welcome and will provide much needed support for customers due to the continued high cost of energy. The Minister fully supports this Financial Resolution.
 
ENDS
 
 
The temporary VAT reduction to 9% for gas and electricity was one of the Government responses to the energy crisis and its impact on the cost of living. A reduced rate was first applied from 1 May 2022. It was possible to make this reduction because of an amendment to Annex III of the VAT Directive in 2022 which brought gas and electricity within the scope of the reduced rates category.
 
The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses, and has committed to bring forward taxation measures to help contain energy costs, including with regard to VAT.
 
Consequently, the Government has decided to introduce a Financial Resolution on Wednesday 2 April 2025 to extend the 9% VAT rate for gas and electricity for 6 months from 1 May 2025 till 31 October 2025. The estimated cost of this extension is €85 million with the net benefit to households from 1 May to 31 October being approximately €26.60 with respect to electricity and €20.28 with respect to gas.