Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé an-sásta a bheith anseo inniu ag an bhfochoiste. The purpose of the proposed motion is to seek the approval of Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Statute of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA. The proposed motion follows recent Government approval for Ireland to complete the steps required to ratify the IRENA statute. As the committee is aware, IRENA is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. IRENA's aim is to promote the widespread and increased adoption of renewable energy with a view to sustainable development.

Ratifying the IRENA statute will allow for full membership and provide improved access for Ireland to data and expertise that will complement the high-quality EU and International Energy Agency research, analysis and support with regard to renewable energy technology and policy developments. This is particularly important given Ireland's abundant diverse and indigenous renewable energy sources, such as wind and ocean power. It is also particularly timely, given our objective of transitioning to a low-carbon future and in the context of our involvement in setting EU and global targets for climate and energy matters for the period 2020 to 2030.

The agency, which is headquartered in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, currently has 140 members, including major economies such as the United States, India, Japan, Australia and China. More than 32 states have started the formal process of becoming members. The European Union and all its member states are members, apart from Austria and Ireland, both of which are in the process of becoming members.

IRENA is financed in the main by mandatory contributions from members. Those contributions are determined by the IRENA assembly, which convenes annually to discuss and decide upon issues such as the agency's work programme and budget. Based on the budget agreed in January 2014, Ireland's contribution for 2015 would amount to approximately €70,000. We will be invited to contribute a pro ratashare of that sum, depending on the date membership commences. It is because the IRENA statute involves a charge upon public funds within the meaning of Article 29.5.2° of Bunreacht na hÉireann that the terms of the statute require prior Dáil approval. IRENA's role in attracting a greater profile for renewable energy as a long-term solution to climate change and sustainability aligns with the Government's energy policy objectives of security, sustainability and competitiveness. I recommend the motion to the select sub-committee.