New policy marks a significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure
 
Minister O’Brien has today (Tuesday, 15 July) secured Government approval for a new policy on ‘Private Wires’. This is a significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure which will unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage. It will also facilitate the provision of low-cost charging solutions for Electric Vehicles and expand opportunities for self-supply of electricity.
 
At present only ESB Networks can own a line that brings electricity from a generator to an electricity customer. Following an extensive consultation exercise with industry stakeholders the government has decided that in future private investors will be able to build and own such line in the following circumstances:
 

• A direct connection between a generator, for example a wind farm or solar farm, and an electricity customer, perhaps a factory that wants to decarbonise. There are situations where this is quicker and more efficient than having both parties connect to the Grid;
• A wind farm or solar farm owned by one company will be able to share a grid connection with another generator or a battery installation owned by another firm. Previously this could have breached the rules prohibiting private lines;
• Private lines will be allowed where they are the solution to allow on street charging of Electric Vehicles; and
• To allow a firm that self-supplies electricity to provide electricity to neighbouring customer where the line does not have to cross land owned by a third party.

 
Minister O’Brien said:
 
“This is a very significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure. I, and officials in the Department, are now focused on the next steps – to implement this policy. Primary legislation – to amend the Electricity Regulation Act allowing for Private Wires – will be enacted. I will bring the General Scheme of this legislation to Government in the autumn. Supporting regulations – to define standards and processes for granting permission for Private Wires – will be adopted. I will ensure that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities [CRU] is resourced – to take on this significant new area of regulation.
 
“My Department [of Climate, Energy and the Environment] will continue to monitor industry developments – around the emerging concept of green energy parks to identify any future need for further liberalisation.”
 
This reform follows on from a consultation process on Private Wires. A total of 128 responses were received form a wide range of individuals and groups. In July 2024, the Department published a summary report of the results of the consultation exercise.
 
In parallel with the publication of the consultation results in July 2024, Government approved a set of guiding principles for the development of the final Private Wires Policy. The statement on guiding principles set out that the new Private Wires Policy will aim to unlock private sector resources to build new electricity infrastructure by expanding the right of private undertakings to connect supply directly with demand.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD, has today (9 July, 2025) welcomed the decision by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) to grant Fingal County Council a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) in respect of proposed works to deliver permanent coastal protection measures at Portrane, Co. Dublin.
 
Welcoming the decision, Minister O’Brien said:
“This is a very important step forward for this vital project. The coastal erosion challenges at Portrane have been well documented, and it is essential that we progress sustainable, long-term solutions to protect this vulnerable community and its coastline. The granting of a Maritime Area Consent is a significant milestone that enables Fingal County Council to bring this proposal to the next stage.”
 
The Maritime Area Consent (MAC) provides a gateway into the planning system and confers a right on the Fingal County Council to occupy a part of the maritime area, conditional on securing other necessary approvals which in this case would involve An Coimisiún Pleanála approval of the planned works.
 
The Minister stated that “it’s important to remember that the planning process still needs to be gone through, and that process must be respected. Public consultation and careful consideration of environmental and community impacts will be key elements of that process. I have every confidence that Fingal County Council will engage constructively and transparently as the project moves forward.”
 
The proposed permanent coastal protection measures at Portrane are intended to provide a sustainable response to the serious coastal erosion that has affected the area in recent years,
threatening homes and public infrastructure.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Séan Canney, have welcomed a reduction of eleven weeks in the waiting time for a driving test. The average waiting time across the country now stands at just over 16 weeks, down from 27 weeks at the end of April.
On 1 May Minister Canney instructed the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to put a plan in place to bring waiting times back to acceptable levels, and to report every two weeks on progress towards this goal. The RSA report for the week ending 28 June shows that the average wait time had reduced to just over 16 weeks, ahead of the 18-week target for end-June agreed between the RSA and Minister Canney. The goal remains to reduce the waiting time to a maximum of ten weeks by September 2025.
The report also showed that 18 additional testers will begin conducting driving tests this week, followed by a further 12 in two weeks’ time. This additional capacity means that progress should continue or further accelerate over the summer months. The RSA expects to have its full sanction of 200 driver testers in place by September.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “This is a substantial reduction in driving test waiting times since the high of 27 weeks at the end of April. I welcome the engagement of Minister Canney with the RSA on this issue, and the benefit it has brought to those most affected by long waiting times.”
Minister Canney said:
“I am happy to see this positive progress towards reducing driving test waiting times. I am acutely aware of the frustration felt by those eager to sit their tests, and remain determined that we return to the maximum ten-week waiting time as soon as possible.
“This report shows that we are making headway towards the target. I thank the testers, support staff and the team at the RSA for the hard work it has taken to get to this point, and I look forward to further meaningful progress.”