Legal Advisory Services for LEAP

Following Government approval of LEAP in January 2026, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) will be responsible for coordinating the delivery of its 17 actions and providing associated updates to Government. In this context, external legal advice is required to support DETE on the early-stage implementation of LEAP over an approximate 12-18 month period during 2026-27 to advance the establishment of a plan-led approach to energy intensive industrial development, as set out in LEAP. As part of the above, the successful tenderer will be required to provide legal advice to the DETE throughout the delivery of LEAP Action 8 regarding preparation of a National Planning Statement (NPS) for green energy parks. The preparation of this NPS will take place according to the relevant provisions in the Planning and Development Act, 2024, including Sections 25-26, and will build upon the policy direction of the National Planning Framework. The preparation of this NPS will further include the establishment of an across Government technical working group, the membership of which will including DETE, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), and DCEE. Likewise, the establishment process will likely incorporate significant engagement with various stakeholders, including with industry, the renewables sector, and different tiers of the planning system, in addition to possible opportunities for further public participation that may be considered necessary under relevant national and/or EU legislative frameworks underpinning establishment of the NPS for green energy parks. It is intended that the successful tenderer will provide legal advice to DETE throughout this process, including with regard to stakeholder engagement and public participation.