Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Seán Canney today announced guaranteed funding for active travel staff in local authorities around the country for a further five years, up to the end of 2030.
In 2020 the Department of Transport significantly increased funding for walking and cycling infrastructure projects. The Department advised local authorities, through the City and County Management Association, that funding would be allocated to establish dedicated teams of active travel staff. This funding was guaranteed until 2026, to increase the capacity of local authorities to deliver active travel projects around the country.
Since then, over €1 billion has been invested in active travel projects and approximately 240 staff have been recruited across all 31 local authorities. This has been invaluable in the delivery of over 1,000 km of walking and cycling infrastructure in the past five years. The active travel staff are funded by the Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who oversee the Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme.
The National Development Plan Transport Sectoral Plan, published in November 2025, has continued the commitment of €360 million per annum for active travel and Greenways until 2030.
Given the success of the establishment of active travel teams, who have met infrastructure delivery and expenditure targets annually since 2022, Minister O’Brien and Minister Canney have also confirmed the continuation of funding for active travel staff in local authorities to the end of 2030. Dedicated active travel staff in local authorities will support delivery of high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure to the end of the decade.
“I am delighted to be in a position to continue to invest in maintaining dedicated active travel staff in the 31 local authorities. These teams have become a critical part of the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure projects across the country, including Safe Routes to School projects. It is important that local authorities have the assurance of continued funding over the next five years. I would like to commend the NTA for their continued focus on training and upskilling local authority staff to ensure the construction and delivery of high-quality active travel projects in our cities, towns and villages. I look forward to seeing the impact of this investment through the continued development of Ireland’s walking and cycling network.”

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien“Safe and high-quality active travel infrastructure encourages healthy, active commutes to work, school and daily errands, and protects vulnerable road users as they walk, cycle or scoot. The local authority active travel teams, overseen by the NTA, have delivered over 1,000km of walking and cycling infrastructure over the past five years. Following this announcement of continued funding today, these teams can now focus on establishing a network of walking and cycling infrastructure that can be used for transport or recreation without having to rely on a car.”

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has signed regulations giving effect to transport elements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive, including the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) rates for 2026.
Regulations come into effect on 1 January 2026 and set rates as:

• Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) rate: 32%
• Advanced biofuel and Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) obligation rate: 5%
• Crop cap: 3%
• High indirect land use change (ILUC) risk cap: 60% of the total amount supplied in 2019.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2025–2027, published in June 2025, sets out a pathway for increasing renewable transport fuel use. This is to support achievement of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and EU Renewable Energy Directive 2030 targets, for an increased share of renewable energy in transport and transport decarbonisation. This includes annual increases in the RTFO rate to 2030. The indicative trajectory of RTFO rates set out in the Policy is reviewed annually, with analysis from the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) to reflect market developments.
“Government remains committed to achieving national and EU renewable energy targets for transport. The 2026 increase to the RTFO rate incentivises increased supply of sustainable renewable transport fuel, providing immediate climate change mitigation.
“The revision of the combined advanced biofuel and RFNBO obligation rate for 2026 reflects global supply challenges and sustainability concerns around certain imported biofuels, as well as the strong response of industry to regulations introduced in June to address concerns in relation to POME-derived biofuel. The revised rate represents an increase on the 2025 rate, ensuring continued progress toward 2030 targets while protecting consumers and public transport services from undue cost impacts.”

Minister for Transport Darragh O’BrienRecent analysis shows that while supply of advanced biofuel has performed strongly against the 1.5% 2025 obligation, there has been a decrease in advanced biofuel supply since 2024. Fuel suppliers have responded to concerns raised in relation to the sustainability of imported palm oil mill effluent (POME) derived-biofuel to the EU, and to measures introduced in Ireland in June 2025 reducing additional certificates incentives for POME-derived biofuel. For this reason, the NORA revised its modelling for the combined advanced biofuel and RFNBO obligation rate for 2026 to 6.5%, reflecting rapid and significantly changing market dynamics. Further recent analysis of the market indicated the need for a further reduction of the ABO to 5%, to avoid adverse impacts on consumer pump prices and public transport services.
While lower than originally anticipated, the revised rate is an increase on the 2025 level, maintaining progress toward 2030 targets and supporting investment and growth in domestic renewable fuel production.
The regulations also give effect to transport elements of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), including:

• Amendment of the definition and provisions for the advanced biofuel obligation to include renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO),
• New provision for the award of certificates for supply of renewable electricity at public charging points,
• The Annex IX list of feedstocks eligible for double counting under the RED, aligned to amendments made under Directive 2024/1405.
  

IEA report demonstrates Ireland is a global frontrunner in integrating renewables; strategic choices lie ahead to ensure energy security in the coming decade
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the publication of a landmark report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) ‘Building a Secure Energy System for Ireland’ which assesses Ireland’s energy security into the 2030s. Minister O’Brien met with IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol in Paris to mark the launch of the report.
 
The analysis notes that as Ireland’s energy, climate and socio-economic goals align around the electricity system, this could lead to demand potentially doubling and require faster delivery of infrastructure and renewables. There are significant challenges and opportunities ahead to align planning and policies across key sectors of the economy – to support a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
 
Today’s developments also included a landmark pledge from Ireland of €5 million over five years towards the IEA’s Clean Energy Transition Programme (CETP). The CETP is the IEA’s flagship programme for achieving a clean energy transformation worldwide. This Voluntary Contribution will help to address global issues of significant importance, including the urgency of universal access to clean cooking, the imperative of people-centred energy transitions, and the exigency of rebuilding Ukraine's energy sector.
 
Four key questions are addressed by the analysis in the IEA’s ‘Building a Secure Energy System for Ireland’ report:
 

• What is the role of the power sector in enhancing decarbonisation and energy security in Ireland?
• What could be the adequacy, stability and flexibility challenges in the Irish power system towards 2035?
• What cross-sectoral considerations are relevant to ensure energy security?
• What are the key policy areas where action is needed?

 
The study provides an independent technical assessment of the role of the power sector in achieving Ireland’s policy objectives of decarbonisation and energy security. It examines the emerging power system security challenges in the context of the energy transition and provides an authoritative, independent assessment on the stability of the electricity system, and the wider role of the power sector in the decarbonisation of transport, heating and industry.
 
Minister O’Brien welcomed the publication of the report by the IEA today, saying:
 
“I warmly welcome the publication of this timely and detailed review of Ireland’s energy system as we continue to transition towards a renewables-led and decarbonised future. I would like to thank all those who contributed to the review across Government, the energy sector, and technical experts, as well as the IEA for their expertise in leading the analysis.
 
“This technical assessment by the IEA will serve as a starting point for a cross-Government programme of work in 2026 to consult on the role of the energy sector in delivering security, competitiveness, and sustainability across Irish society into the 2030s.”
 
IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol said:
 
“Ireland has shown that an island-based power system can successfully integrate very high shares of variable electricity generation, while maintaining a focus on energy security. As electricity demand grows strongly in the coming decade, this report highlights how coordinated planning, timely investment and continued innovation in power grids can help Ireland make progress on its electrification ambitions, as well as on its energy security, affordability and emissions reduction goals.”
 
The analysis provides recommendations across five key areas:
 

• Creation of a cross-sectoral energy security strategy for the 2030s;
• Developing enabling infrastructure;
• Accelerating generation capacity, storage, and demand-side flexibility;
• Enabling the secure operation of a highly-renewable power system;
• Advancing critical cross-cutting enablers.

 
This is a link to the report: https://www.iea.org/reports/powering-irelands-energy-future.
 

Legislation will support the build-out of Ireland’s electricity grid
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has secured Government approval to commence drafting of the Private Wires Bill. The Bill will amend the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to enable private development of electricity wires in four specific circumstances.
 
Private wires legislation will aid the build-out of Ireland’s electricity grid, whilst simultaneously accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy and electricity storage solutions. In this way, private development of electricity infrastructure will unlock new investment and alleviate grid constraints.
 
As per the approved Private Wires Policy Statement in July 2025, this Bill will allow for private wires to be built in four limited circumstances:
 

• To permit a private wire linking a single user of electricity to a separate singular generation asset. This connection may also include storage technologies;
• To facilitate hybrid grid connections;
• To allow on-street charging solutions for Electric Vehicles;
• To allow a customer that self-supplies electricity to provide electricity to a separate customer in a contiguous premises.

 
In order to develop a General Scheme in line with these four use cases, the Department worked in close consultation with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as well as ESB Networks and EirGrid. A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was also conducted to evaluate the costs, benefits and impacts of the proposed legislation. To ensure diverse and accurate representation, an extensive public consultation was held to inform the policy statement in 2023. Feedback was received from a wide range of stakeholders including industry representatives from the renewable generation community, demand users, environmental groups, and farming associations.
 
As the Bill is being drafted and implemented, the Department will continue to work closely with the CRU and system operators – EirGrid and ESB Networks – to ensure private wires are regulated to high safety and technical standards and do not interfere with the efficient development of the national transmission and distribution grid.
 
This Bill is the next step in implementing the Private Wires Policy Framework. The development of the framework was committed to as an action in the Climate Action Plan and Programme for Government 2025. The Regulatory Impact Assessment and Heads of Bill are available now to view at this link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/private-wires-bill-2025-general-scheme-and-regulatory-impact-analysis/.
 
Minister O’Brien said:
 
“The approval for the drafting of this Bill is a positive step in the implementation of the Private Wires Policy Statement which was approved by the Government this year. Once they are enabled, Private Wires will allow for private investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly to enable the development of more renewable energy and electricity storage. Private Wires will provide greater opportunity for electricity customers and generators, and this will form part of the overall solution for further electrification and development of clean energy, whilst still ensuring that the national electricity grid is the primary route for electricity connections.”

From Balla Tidy Towns to Grant Thornton, the new SDG Champions demonstrate the drive of Irish organisations – large and small – to promote and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
 
The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has appointed 20 new organisations from across Irish society to become Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions for the next 18 months.
 
Organisations ranging from Killimordaly GAA to Galway City Council, from FoodCloud to Guaranteed Irish, are leading by example in driving forward progress to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
This brings to 74 the number of SDG Champions in Ireland. Already, 54 organisations and groups – large and small, national and local – have become SDG Champions across the 2019-2020, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 programmes, including the GAA, Tesco, Irish Girl Guides, Chambers Ireland, Leave No Trace Ireland, UCD, among others.
 
Announcing the appointments, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“The world faces huge challenges in achieving the SDGs, with only 18% of the goals currently on track globally. However, this year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations, we are committed to achieving the vision and ambition of Agenda 2030, a roadmap for a fairer, safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world. In fulfilling the ambition of the SDGs, we have made considerable progress, but more is needed, and faster, from all stakeholders – locally, nationally and internationally.
 
“Over 90 organisations applied to take part in the Programme this year, demonstrating the continued commitment of Irish society to help achieve and promote the SDGs. Partnerships play a crucial role, and it is great to have such a diverse range of organisations working collectively towards a better future for everyone. The SDG Champions Programme recognises that everyone has a role to play, and everyone can contribute to achieving the SDGs.”
 
Appointed as part of the 2025-2027 SDG Champions Programme, the chosen organisations will help raise awareness of the importance of the SDGs as a roadmap for a safer, fairer, more prosperous and sustainable future for all, that leaves no-one behind. The Champions will show through their own actions that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 
The organisations appointed under this year's programme have been selected from across the public, private, community, voluntary, youth and NGO sectors and are represented by larger, national organisations and smaller, community groups.
 
In addition, former SDG champions have chosen to take up the role of SDG Ambassadors, and are continuing to raise awareness and promote the SDGs. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment will work with this year’s champions, and with SDG Ambassadors throughout the year to achieve the SDGs and the overall Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda in Ireland.
 
Find out more about the 2025-2027 SDG Champions Programme on the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment website: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/sdg-champions-2025-2027/

CRU’s Price Review 6 sets out a transformative regulatory and investment framework up to 2030
 
PR6 will enable the investment our energy system needs to deliver on housing, industrial development, digitalisation and climate action
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has today welcomed the publication of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Final Determination on Price Review 6 (PR6), covering the period 2026 to 2030. The CRU sets expenditure by EirGrid and ESB Networks in 5-year cycles called Price Reviews. PR6 paves the way for an historic investment of up to €18.9 billion in Ireland’s energy infrastructure – to provide for our growing population and facilitate investment in our economy.
 
Unprecedented €3.5 billion Government equity investment
 
The PR6 programme will be supported by an unprecedented €3.5 billion Government equity investment in our electricity infrastructure, as committed to in the revised National Development Plan in July. As part of this investment, €1.5 billion will be transferred to ESB this week, to support delivery of onshore electricity infrastructure over the next five years.
 
The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 2025, which provided the mechanism for the investment in ESB, was enacted as a matter of priority at the end of November. To ensure strong Government oversight of the investment, the Minister will receive quarterly monitoring reports as to the expenditure of the investment and progress on delivery of the overall PR6 investment programme.
 
Energy infrastructure
 
Energy infrastructure is a critical component of Government action on housing, industrial development, digitalisation and climate action. The investment levels agreed in PR6 will enable delivery of essential energy infrastructure as set out in the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure report and action plan. PR6 also provides for investment in network capacity to ensure that we can accommodate more renewable energy generation on our grid.
 
Welcoming the determination, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“Ireland is entering into the most significant period of energy infrastructure development since rural electrification. The Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan demands bold ambition, and PR6 helps us to deliver that. The framework will deliver the resilience our energy system needs to withstand extreme weather events. The large-scale investment also means that Ireland can develop the energy system that is required to deliver on our housing, industrial development, digitalisation and climate action goals. In the long run, it will also deliver cost benefits to households. Investment in our grid now will facilitate more home-grown renewables that will ultimately reduce our reliance on volatile international gas markets.
 
“I also welcome the transfer – this week – of €1.5 billion in Government equity to ESB, as committed to in the revised National Development Plan. This funding will ensure ESB Networks is sufficiently financed to begin delivering on the ambitious PR6 investment programme starting next year.”
 
The PR6 programme will facilitate a wide range of infrastructure delivery including:
 

• The connection of up to 300,000 new homes by 2030;
• Electrification of public transport projects, including preparation for Metrolink;
• Upgrading and preparing our network through an annual network resilience programme, to meet the challenges of climate and storms;
• Increasing capacity on the network and upgrading existing infrastructure, to meet the growing electricity demand from homes and businesses;
• Network infrastructure to support the connection of up to 1 million electric vehicles and the very significant roll-out of heat pumps.

 
Overall, the PR6 programme of works is intended to strengthen and improve Ireland’s national grid infrastructure, allowing ESB Networks and EirGrid to connect new homes and businesses, reduce curtailment and constraint costs for consumers (thus reducing energy bills) and make Ireland’s electricity grid more resilient to the effects of storms. Furthermore, the upgrade of the grid will facilitate the development of renewable energy – both onshore and offshore – and prepare for important public transport projects such as Metrolink.