Minister welcomes Act to progress offshore renewable energy ambitions
- Foilsithe: 17 Aibreán 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 17 Aibreán 2025
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has today welcomed the enactment of legislation that will regulate the newer types of vessels used in the offshore renewable energy sector, which will help Ireland achieve its climate targets.
The Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025 also provides for the establishment of a Marine Accident Investigation Unit within the Department of Transport. It will replace the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) as the permanent body responsible for marine accident investigation.
“Ireland is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach that target, the country must significantly increase the proportion of its energy needs that are fulfilled by renewable sources, including Offshore Renewable Energy sources such as wind. Offshore Service Vessels will be a vital part of the offshore services sector. This Act gives us the power to make regulations to cater for the newer types of vessels being used in the offshore service sector and the carriage of industrial personnel on those vessels.”
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien
“The enactment of this legislation is a commitment in the Programme for Government and shows our focus on enhancing Ireland’s maritime safety regime, particularly in terms of marine accident investigation. We can now move ahead with the establishment of the Marine Accident Investigation Unit which will investigate marine accidents to help prevent similar accidents occurring in future. I would like to thank the MCIB, its Board, its investigators and its staff members for their ongoing work. The new Unit will build on the important contribution they have made.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney
Notes
Marine Accident Investigation
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) is the independent body established under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 to investigate marine casualties and publish reports of such investigations.
In 2021, an independent review to assess Ireland’s marine casualty investigation organisational structures was undertaken. The review’s Report recommends that marine casualty investigation in Ireland should transition from the current part-time set-up (as regards the use of a panel of investigators) to a full-time approach.
This is in line with best practice internationally and will mirror existing practice in aviation and railway accident investigations in the State.
Offshore Service Vessels
Ireland is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach that target, the country must significantly increase the proportion of its energy needs that are fulfilled by renewable sources, including Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sources such as wind.
The development and operation of ORE projects involves many types of vessels, known as offshore service vessels.
The Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025 provides for regulation-making power to cater for the newer types of vessels being used in the offshore service sector and the carriage of industrial personnel on those vessels.