COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 11, 2008

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor T. McDermott

That this Council, with the assistance of a report from the Manager, consider the implications for the Council, the elected members and the citizens in the event of the discovery in South Dublin County of a significant quantity of recoverable deep geothermal energy in terms of proper planning and sustainable development.

REPORT:

In a recent reponse to a parliamentary question (see Q90) in the Dail the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources referred to the requirement for a the need to implement a regulatory and administrative regime that would provide for the orderly development of geothermal energy. 

The Minister went on to annouce the convening of a Departmental group who will carry out a stakeholder consultation early in the course of their work and is expected to be launched early in 2008. The group is to report back to the Minister as early as possible in the first half of 2008.

Given this national context, it is proposed that the findings of this Departmental group would be considered by the Environment Strategic Policy Committee and the Economic Development (incl Planning and Development) Strategic Policy Committee once they are available.

This Council is interested in examining the use of geothermal energy and is in contact with Sustainable Energy Ireland ( the organisation funded by the Irish Government to promote and assist environmentally and economically sustainable production, supply and use of energy) to obtain broadly-based advice on exploring its possible use from a county-wide perspective.