Equinor's decision to leave the Irish offshore wind market is a prime example of how Ireland's planning and regulatory framework is not being reformed quickly enough, a key regional organisation has said.

Wind Energy Ireland spoke out following the announcement the energy company is leaving the Irish offshore wind market.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: "We are sorry to see one of the world's leading energy companies pulling out of Ireland, but it is important to remember we still have some of the best offshore wind energy resources in the world and a growing pipeline of projects.

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"We are confident we will deliver offshore wind energy in large volumes and get projects connected before the end of the decade.

"But this decision simply underlines what we have been saying for some time. We are not reforming Ireland's planning and regulatory framework quickly enough to develop the offshore wind we will need to meet the targets in the Climate Action Plan.

"This is leading to a lack of confidence in the industry and our international supply chain that Government must address."