20. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he is taking to prepare Ireland for increasingly extreme weather; the concrete measures that have been delivered since his time in office; if he is satisfied these are sufficient to withstand potential storms and flooding this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65907/26]

In November 2025, I secured Government approved for Sectoral Adaptation Plans across 13 key sectors under the National Adaptation Framework, including Electricity and Gas Networks and Flood Risk Management. These plans set out measures to strengthen critical infrastructure and address increasing climate-related risks, including flooding. In January 2026, a new Adaptation Taskforce was established to provide senior-level oversight and coordination of adaptation efforts across Government.

Alongside these strategic adaptation measures, a range of actions have been delivered to strengthen preparedness for severe weather and enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure.

Following Storm Éowyn, ESB Networks developed and implemented a Winter Resilience Plan focused on areas most vulnerable to severe weather. Measures delivered include surveying over 3,500km of medium-voltage lines, identifying approximately 3,000 sites for vegetation management, assessing and clearing vulnerable trees at more than 2,300 locations, replenishing emergency stocks, spare parts and materials, mobilising an additional 60 timber-cutting resources and strengthening mutual aid arrangements with European utilities. An updated Winter Resilience Plan was published in October 2025, and ESB Networks is continuing this multi-year resilience programme through winter 2026/27.

In December 2025, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities published Price Review 6, providing for investment of up to €18.9 billion in the electricity grid to 2030, significantly strengthening its capacity and resilience.

The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 is also being progressed to strengthen network resilience, particularly in relation to risks arising from the interaction between electricity infrastructure, vegetation, trees and forestry.

Taken together, these measures across Government combine immediate storm preparedness, flood and climate adaptation, substantial infrastructure investment and legislative reform to better protect households and communities from increasingly severe weather.