MAREIRE seeks an independent consultant(s) to produce a practical roadmap to establishing a centralised, standardised national repository for marine environmental data in Ireland.

Ireland currently lacks a national equivalent to the UK’s MEDIN or Belgium’s BMDC - institutional data repositories that serve as essential infrastructure for environmental governance, research coordination, and policy development. This type of centralised repository is urgently needed in Ireland to support marine spatial planning, offshore renewable energy (ORE) development, marine protected area (MPA) designation and monitoring, and wider marine environmental policy and research. The development of such a repository would also bring Ireland in alignment with EU directives (e.g. Marine Strategy Framework Directive) and international commitments (e.g. FAIR Data principles), as well as already existing and likely to arise national commitments such as that of the South Coast DMAP Implementation Programme Body to “coordinate a data repository for the SC-DMAP including a common, shared GIS data repository for Plan and project level data”, in line with the principle “collect once, use often”. With the advancing plans to develop a National DMAP (NDMAP), it is expected that a similar commitment will be made.

On a broader level, such data could have the potential to be used for and beyond supporting ecosystem-based, fair marine spatial planning and ORE development, and a properly planned and implemented marine environmental database would support academic research; evidence-based policy; reduce duplication of data collection efforts; improve research efficiency; lower barriers to access to data; improve transparency and accountability at all levels; and more.

The consultant will produce a comprehensive but concise report(s) that will serve as a strategic and operational blueprint by providing policy recommendations and implementable actions for a number of relevant stakeholders.

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The IEN’s MARÉIRE project is pleased to announce a grant opportunity for research projects on environmental topics in the context of offshore renewable energy. This funding is part of a broader capacity-building initiative to support the development of research and expertise related to the interactions between the environment and offshore renewable energy within the environmental non-governmental organisation (eNGO) sector.

We invite researchers to submit proposals for research projects that align with these themes, specifically focusing on offshore renewable energy and their interactions with the environment.

This call is currently closed.

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Ireland has a growing demand for multiple uses of its marine space: offshore renewable energy (ORE), fisheries, marine protected areas (MPAs), aquaculture, shipping, tourism/recreation, etc. However, with these developing and growing industries come concerns about spatial squeeze, i.e. competing claims to marine space and limited capacity for expansion; cumulative environmental impacts (e.g. biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, pollution); social impacts (fishing communities, local livelihoods); and economic costs/benefits to take into consideration. Debate continues around whether colocation (multiple activities in the same place) is more beneficial or feasible (e.g. ORE+fisheries, ORE+MPAs) in some cases, or whether adjacent siting may mitigate conflicts better in others (such as through spillover effects or buffer zones).

As a result, there is a need for research to identify which maritime activities are well suited to colocation, which are not, under what circumstances, and what trade‑offs and synergies may occur as a result (economic, environmental, social).

This tender was awarded to Conor Purcell, xyMaths Ltd, in Q4 of 2025 with work to be completed within 12 months.

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The main purpose of this project is to review the environmental legislation underpinning the development of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) in Ireland, both at a national and EU level. We are particularly interested in understanding the place of the environment within the legislative framework; evaluating the robustness of the legislation in safeguarding the environment in the face of the biodiversity and climate crises; and identifying existing and remaining gaps in the legislation. To conclude, the analysis will propose solutions to strengthen the legislative framework to ensure it aligns with Ireland's commitments under international and EU environmental law, including but not limited to the EU Green Deal, the Habitats and Birds Directives, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The project aims to provide actionable recommendations for achieving a balance between the rapid deployment of ORE and the preservation of marine biodiversity, ecosystems, and the rights and wellbeing of coastal communities. This legislative review will provide a critical resource for policymakers, stakeholders, and environmental advocates, equipping them with the tools to advance Ireland's ORE ambitions responsibly and sustainably.

This tender was awarded to An Taisce in Q1 of 2025 with work to be completed within 12 months.

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Ireland is undergoing a transformative shift in its energy landscape, driven by climate commitments, EU obligations, and the imperative for a just transition. This research will inform future policy, planning, and stakeholder engagement by analysing current and future energy demand in relation to renewable energy production potential, grid infrastructure, and international obligations.

The IEN is seeking proposals for a research study that provides critical context for the development and production of renewable energy in Ireland, with a specific focus on energy demand, energy policy, and infrastructure capacity. This research will inform national energy strategies and ensure alignment with Ireland’s climate and sustainability goals.

This tender was awarded to Ms Sadhbh O’Neill in Q2 of 2025 for completion within 12 months.

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The primary aim of this project is to research and develop a comprehensive report examining the current state of knowledge on the impacts of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) developments on marine biodiversity, with a particular focus on Irish waters. This report will identify critical knowledge gaps and establish priorities for future research to ensure that the development of ORE is compatible with the conservation of marine ecosystems.

The findings from this project will form the basis for future research into the ecological impacts of ORE in Ireland, and inform evidence-based decision-making for the sustainable development of ORE.

This tender was awarded to Howell Marine Consulting in Q1 of 2025 and completed in Q3 of 2025.

The resulting report can be found here.

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