37. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in reviewing forestry setbacks and corridors in relation to the safeguarding of the electricity and energy networks, the timeline for the publication and implementation of new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52187/26]

My Department is in regular contact with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and other critical stakeholders including Coillte, Forestry Industries Ireland, and farmer representative organisations in relation to forests and electricity infrastructure.

The drafting of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 is intended to enhance ESB Networks powers to manage vegetation and forestry around electricity infrastructure and the resilience of the electricity grid. The preparation of this legislation is being undertaken by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and my Department has inputted into the framework for the draft legislation and continues to engage proactively and constructively with the process.

I understand the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, informed in part by work by ESB Networks as part of its Stakeholder Engagement Strategy & Plan 2026, is at an advanced stage in incorporating feedback from its own stakeholder engagements and that a revised Heads of Bill is due to return to Government in the coming weeks.