Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his update on the attendance by the Minister, Deputy Ryan, at COP27. Climate change is possibly the most important issue of our time, and our actions now will certainly affect what will happen for future generations. There are actions we can take now to reverse climate change and to support our transition to a low-carbon economy. Some of the biggest advances in technology have come from trying to limit and create alternatives to our dependency on carbon. As a Government, we must continue to focus on the decarbonisation of the electricity system to achieve our target of more than 70% renewable electricity by 2030, and to keep up with increasing demand.

Ireland must also reinforce the electricity network and scale up the roll-out of renewable energy generation, and we must develop power storage solutions. Investment will be required like never before for areas such as solar, wave energy and windfarms to allow us to harness the power of nature in a clean way, harvesting energy without harming the environment and destroying habitats.

As an island nation with no nuclear electricity, our ability to deliver on our net zero ambitions while safeguarding energy security through the continued role of natural gas beyond 2030 will be dependent on the timely arrival of emerging technologies. Major investment will therefore be needed to help decarbonise the gas network and make it compatible with a net zero future. We require policy and investment in this area to provide alternative solutions like green hydrogen production and the smart integration of the gas and the electricity systems.

My county of Mayo has an abundance of renewable energy resources, including the potential to produce 2 GW of onshore wind, which can be delivered in a very short time. We are ideally located to become a natural, renewable energy and hydrogen hub. However, the Minister of State must be aware that the opportunity is time-limited. We must ensure the opportunity does not pass us by and that we have essential policy drivers in place to deliver on this potential.

In July, I welcomed the Minister of State's consultation on the development of the hydrogen strategy for Ireland. That was an important step forward. What is equally important is the publication of the national green hydrogen strategy. Many people want to utilise the potential of this alternative. I have spoken to a number of developers who are anxious to get involved, and they want to know what incentives and financial supports the Government will provide in the strategy. That is an important step forward.

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