1. Does Blue Ireland support the transition from fossil fuel generated energy to renewables, including offshore renewables?

Emphatically yes. There is an imperative need to decarbonise our energy supply and the development of renewables will be a step in this process. However, given that we face major challenges due to both climate change and biodiversity collapse, the need to do things properly is both critical and urgent. We support the development of wind infrastructure when, in line with best international practice, sites are carefully selected to avoid the negative environmental impacts associated with this technology and when proposed projects are subject to a modern democratic marine planning process, for example ecosystem-based Marine Spatial Planning.

2. Why does your organisation exist?

Blue Ireland advocates for offshore wind to be done properly. Ecosystem-based Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and appropriate siting of offshore developments must ensure we optimise benefits and minimise damaging impacts on the marine environment. The issue is that, as a result of lax permitting regimes, projects in Ireland are proposed on sites self-selected by developers, with no regard for impacts on marine life, habitats, coastal communities or the Irish coastline. Many of the sites were targeted 25 years ago, when the industry was in its infancy. With advances in turbine technology and an increased understanding of the safeguards that are required if such major infrastructure is to be sited in the dynamic marine environment, the near-shore sites earmarked by developers a quarter of a century are no longer the best option.

3. How has the government managed the offshore wind permitting process?

Until December 2021, the legislation governing construction at sea was The Foreshore Act 1933. But although a new marine planning regime was introduced, the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, the influences of the Foreshore Act continue to dominate. The 1933 Act gave power to a Minister to grant foreshore licences (for site investigation) and foreshore leases (for construction) for proposed offshore projects on his sole authority. It was used by successive Ministers over the past 25 years to give consent to prospective offshore wind developers who selected areas of the foreshore (out to 12 nautical miles or 22.2 km) on a ‘ first-come-first-served ’, ad hoc , basis, with no environmental constraints. The consequences of this developer-led planning and lax regulation are widespread, posing significant threats to valuable marine habitats and species and undermining the democratic process. Firstly, many current development proposals target high biodiversity value sites that are, in fact, completely unsuitable for development. See the Fair Seas report ‘ Revitalising our Seas ’ for further details. Secondly, over the past decade, most of the original stakeholders have sold on all, or part, of their dubious interests, netting them large profits in return for access to State-owned foreshore. In February 2020, for example, it was reported that French energy giant, EDF, acquired a 50% stake in the proposed Codling windfarm from a company linked to developer, Johnny Ronan, at an estimated cost of €100 million. Just months earlier, in June 2019, official documentation shows that €5m was owed by Codling in unpaid fees to the State, that it was considered that Codling was close to being in development default and that the Department was contemplating termination of the lease. By 19 May 2020, all this had changed. It was announced that Codling had been classified as a ‘relevant’ project, and would be fast-tracked through the consenting process. Unbelievably, all this happened in the absence of any environmental assessment or public consultation, at a time when the country was experiencing the early chaos of the Covid pandemic. The Codling proposal continues to be advanced by EDF as one of the Phase 1 proposals granted Maritime Area Consents by Minister Eamon Ryan on 23rd December 2022, again with no public consultation or environmental constraints.

4. Sites were selected 25 years ago. Why were they not developed?

Sites on which developments are proposed were selected 25 years ago, on a first-come-first served basis, in the absence of any assessment of their environmental suitability. In the intervening years, offshore wind technology has changed immeasurably. Developments no longer need to be sited in shallow water and the advent of floating wind has created the potential to site turbines further out to sea, where winds are stronger and where the worst impacts of developments on sensitive coastal waters can be mitigated. The current situation is that the seven test turbines that were erected on the Arklow Bank in 2004 have reached the end of their lives and are being dismantled, additional capacity that was consented in 2002 and 2005 was never constructed, leaving Ireland today with net zero offshore wind. Because of historic mismanagement and ongoing failure to adhere to required EU environmental law, and in spite of intensive efforts by government to steam-roll the legacy projects through, Ireland has achieved nothing. On the one hand, this may be regrettable while, on the positive side, it provides us with a valuable opportunity to truly do offshore wind properly and in the public interest . Recent reports from the National Economic and Social Council (NESC, April 2025) and the Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE, November 2025) explain that Ireland's energy policy is headed into a 'fog' and urgently needs rebalancing. With two august bodies openly calling out shortcomings in Ireland's energy policy - aligning with a narrative that Blue Ireland members and a few others ( Frank McDonald, Irish Times, 2002 ) have been publicising for years - it would be foolhardy to move forward until the 'fog' has been cleared and our energy policy is re-balanced, in line with the recommendations made by NESC and the IAE. Doing offshore wind badly is not what Irish citizens need.

5. What is marine spatial planning (MSP) and in what way would Marine Spatial Planning help?

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is defined as ‘a process by which the relevant Member State’s authorities analyse and organise human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives’ (EU, 2014). The European Union (EU) Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (2014) required all Member States with marine territories to prepare ecosystem-based maritime spatial plans for their waters by March 2021. This approach aims to maximise the benefits of our seas, while minimising the harm to our coastal habitats and species, in order to serve the common good . Unfortunately, Ireland's Plan is neither ecosystem-based nor a plan, according to analysis carried out on behalf of SWAN - An Evaluation of Ireland’s Marine Spatial Plan – The National Marine Planning Framework . Instead, the analysis concluded that it is a framework for future plans and should be replaced to comply with the MSP Directive when an actual plan is in place. To date, no such plan exists. Blue Ireland members believe that if the sites currently being proposed had been subjected to ecosystem-based scrutiny, it would have been obvious from the start that they were the wrong places for industrial development.

6. What does ecosystem-based mean?

Ecosystem-based planning seeks to identify and understand the important ecological characteristics of an area, and then to design plans to guide the development of ecologically responsible human activities in that space. Ecosystem-based planning focuses on the diverse benefits provided by functioning marine ecosystems, rather than on any single species, habitat or ecosystem service. All species and habitats are interconnected, so cannot be considered independently. The aim is to ensure that protected species, habitats and the unique ecosystems that support them are all maintained in a favourable condition and kept in balance. Ireland's current approach to the development of wind farm infrastructure at sea prioritises development over conservation. While there is much focus on the need to advance construction, long-promised Marine Protected Area (MPA) legislation has been delayed again and again. Even government-commissioned 'Sensitivity Analyses' unashamedly ring fence development sites chosen 25 years ago with no environmental constraints , leaving only the dregs for consideration as MPAs. This approach is deeply flawed and non-compliant with EU environmental law.

7. So, did Ireland prepare a Maritime Spatial Plan?

Ireland, like other EU countries, was obliged to prepare an ecosystem-based maritime spatial plan by March 2021 but, unfortunately, the plan developed by Ireland does not comply with the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSP). The National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) adopted by the Irish Government in May 2021 is not ecosystem-based, nor is it a plan. It provides a policy framework for marine planning but does not specify where activities will take place at sea or set out regionally differentiated priorities for the use and protection of Ireland’s marine space ( Walsh, 2022 ). The NMPF, therefore, fails to meet core requirements of the Directive and cannot be considered to be a Maritime Spatial Plan.

8. Regarding offshore wind development and EU best practice, where does Ireland fit in?

Regulation of offshore wind development varies throughout the world. This is sometimes justified with claims that the sector is nascent, i.e., emerging, and consequently some countries are only in the process of developing policy. However, much of Ireland’s environmental law is grounded in long-standing EU laws and Directives which are applicable within all Member States. This includes the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC), the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC), the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2011/92/EU), and the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (2014/89/EU). Ireland has continued to process applications for offshore wind without regard to a number of these Directives. This failure to comply with the Directives has resulted, on a number of occasions, in Ireland being found to be in breach of EU law. A recent judgement against Ireland, (21 November 2025) was welcomed by Sinéad O Brien, CEO of the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), who stated “ After years of warnings, this ruling is a national embarrassment. The government has had 25 years since this law came into force; it must now act urgently to put this right. It must show that it is actually committed to safeguarding our rivers, lakes and seas, and our priceless water wildlife, by meeting its obligations under EU law". Similarly, the government has had 25 years to bring Ireland's offshore planning regime into line with EU law. But instead of putting in place a robust, compliant system and enforcing it, government is now seeking to silence the concerned public, by limiting access to justice in the courts. Access to justice rights are conferred on all citizens by the Public Participation Directive (2003/35/EC). A comprehensive briefing note prepared by Coastal Concern Alliance outlines the diverse consenting processes for ORE in different EU countries to clarify Ireland's position.

9. Are you simply arguing for biodiversity protection as a way of rejecting development of all offshore wind?

No. There are those who try to brush off our concerns or call us NIMBYs, while taking no time to inform themselves about our work, all done on a voluntary basis, or look at the science that supports it. Our well justified fear is that important functioning marine and coastal ecosystems will be destroyed as a result of Ireland’s lax permitting regime for offshore wind infrastructure. This, combined with the government’s inordinate delay in putting in place protection for marine habitats and species (Marine Protected Areas), and our awareness of how critically important it is to preserve and restore these ecosystems to avoid biodiversity loss and help to mitigate climate change, is why we have initiated the Blue Ireland campaign. We are fully supportive of the development of offshore renewables when developments are appropriately sited and effectively managed under a democratic, ecosystem-based, marine planning regime. In 2019, Ireland announced twin biodiversity and climate crises. In the intervening years, climate action has been put on a statutory footing, while commitment to biodiversity protection has been more or less ignored. In that context, we warmly welcome the setting up (November 2024) of the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) on Nature Restoration and the appointment of Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin as committee Chair. There is much work to do. The 2025, European Environment Agency, State of the Environment report found that Ireland's nature was in a very poor state - clearly highlighting our need to do better and to do it urgently. Blue Ireland believe that the logical first step must be to ensure that the habitats and species we have are robustly protected; nature restoration proposals can then build on that base.

10. In what way could offshore wind development have negative impacts on our seas?

Site-selection is internationally accepted as the most important factor in mitigating the biodiversity impacts of wind and solar developments. To-date, in Ireland, site-selection for offshore wind development has been exclusively developer-led, with no government oversight or Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to assess cumulative impacts, as is required under the EU SEA Directive. People may imagine that the seabed around our coast consists of sand; in fact, it consists of so much more, with rocky terrains and glacial deeps, biogenic reefs (made by living organisms) and geogenic reefs (resulting from geological processes) all hosting a huge diversity of life forms. Information shown on NASA maps indicates the dense concentrations of phytoplankton that skirt Ireland’s coast. Phytoplankton, essential to our survival, is arguably the most important life on earth . It produces more than 50% of the earth’s oxygen through photosynthesis and is highly effective at absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. Phytoplankton are the foundation of the aquatic food web, the primary producers, feeding everything from microscopic, animal-like zooplankton to multi-ton whales. Small fish and invertebrates also graze on the plant-like organisms, and, in turn, smaller animals are eaten by bigger ones. The presence of these microscopic creatures explains the rich biodiversity that we in Ireland enjoy in our coastal waters. In fact, our seas and sea beds contain Ireland’s most pristine functioning ecosystems. Though overfishing has had impacts, vast areas of undamaged seabed remain intact, in stark contrast to our lands, where almost every inch has been impacted by human disturbance. Mudflats and sand-flats, for example, not only host biodiverse habitats, they are also a really effective carbon sink. Seagrass meadows, found dotted around the Irish coast, stabilise the sea floor and can absorb carbon 35 times faster than the Amazon rainforest. Because of developer-led planning, many proposed wind developments are sited where their construction, and even initial site investigations, have the potential to have significant negative impacts on some of these important marine ecosystems. Current development proposals traverse or adjoin many important ecologically valuable areas, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), designated to protect marine habitats such as reefs, seagrass and sandbanks, and Special Protection Areas (SPA), to protect rare seabird species such as terns, puffin and kittiwakes. Siting of developments in close proximity to these protected areas poses an unnecessary risk to Ireland’s biodiversity, threatened species and habitats. Until a few months ago, just 2.1% of Ireland’s maritime area was even nominally protected in SACs and SPAs although our target was to have 10% fully protected by 2020 and by 2030, 30% of the marine area should be designated and managed to ensure it is truly safeguarded. Some progress is being made but, in the meantime, Blue Ireland believes that it is vital that we value all rich marine habitats and species because the future of the planet, and our future, depends on it. With regard to the areas which Ireland has designated as SACs and SPAs, the Irish government has consistently failed to fulfil their obligations and adequately protect those areas, resulting, on a number of occasions, in Ireland being found to be in breach of EU law, with the most recent judgement against Ireland being handed down on 30 June 2023. Poorly sited wind farms can have a detrimental effect on healthy marine ecosystems. The failure of the government to adequately manage site-selection, as well as substantial delays in designation of Marine Protected Areas means that currently proposed offshore wind developments pose a serious threat to Ireland’s marine biodiversity, with knock-on effects for natural carbon capture.

FAQs Archive - Blue Ireland

Published: September 2, 2023

1. Does Blue Ireland support the transition from fossil fuel generated energy to renewables, including offshore renewables?
Learn More
Published: July 2, 2023

2. Why does your organisation exist?
Learn More
Published: July 2, 2023

3. How has the government managed the offshore wind permitting process?
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Published: July 2, 2023

4. Sites were selected 25 years ago. Why were they not developed?
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Published: June 20, 2022

5. What is marine spatial planning (MSP) and in what way would Marine Spatial Planning help?
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Published: June 20, 2022

6. What does ecosystem-based mean?
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Published: June 20, 2022

7. So, did Ireland prepare a Maritime Spatial Plan?
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Published: June 20, 2022

8. Regarding offshore wind development and EU best practice, where does Ireland fit in?
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Published: May 31, 2022

9. Are you simply arguing for biodiversity protection as a way of rejecting development of all offshore wind?
Learn More
Published: April 20, 2022

10. In what way could offshore wind development have negative impacts on our seas?
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