'Tánaiste committed to maximising Offaly Just Transition benefits'

Fine Gael TD for Offaly John Clendennen has welcomed what he said was the commitment by An Tánaiste, Simon Harris, to maximising Just Transition and Renewable Energy benefits for Offaly.

Deputy Clenndennen was commenting following a meeting at Government Buildings with the Tánaiste and Fine Gael Offaly County Councillors Liam Quinn, Neil Feighery, Eleanor Clendennen, Hughie Egan, and Noel Cribben.

Clendennen said it signals the Government’s recognition of the need for stronger support schemes and improved processes under the Renewable Energy Support Scheme and Just Transition framework.

Speaking after the meeting, Clendennen said: “I welcome An Tánaiste’s focus on ensuring that the people of Offaly and the wider Midlands receive the maximum benefit from Just Transition and Renewable Energy funding. The Midlands led Ireland’s shift towards renewable energy, and that leadership must now be rewarded with real investment and improved infrastructure.”

The meeting focused on how national policy can better support communities affected by the transition from peat, through strategic use of Just Transition and Renewable Energy funds.

Topics included reforming the Community Benefit Fund to make it more accessible, establishing a renewable zoning system that recognises Offaly’s contributions, and accelerating job creation and strategic infrastructure projects.

Clendennen also highlighted his recent Dáil remarks, noting that Offaly, despite comprising just 2% of Ireland’s population and land mass, contributes up to 7% of national wind energy output, a testament to the county’s leading role in our energy future.

“We’ve delivered on renewables, but promised support has lagged. We cannot allow bureaucratic delays or watered-down schemes to hamper our communities’ ambition,” he said.