Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

Page 2, preface

Delete the following sentence:

“Consequently, the Committee supports the Bill, subject to any necessary technical amendments to make the Bill effective.”

The Bill is misconceived in principle. It confused the idea of exploration with the idea of use and it confuses options with predetermined outcomes. While I accept the international consensus on global warming and fossil fuels, no matter what view one takes of the issue, Ireland will depend on some use of fossil fuels for a very considerable period, whether imported or domestically exploited. If that is the case, one has to ask the second question, namely,"What is the effect of this Bill?" The effect of the Bill would be that when the current gas fields run out within a decade, Ireland would be entirely dependent on international imports of gas by sea or pipeline. It is the primary duty of an Irish Government to keep open the option of having available to the Irish consumer whatever degree of fossil fuel we need to ensure the viability of our economy. One cannot take a dramatic stance by stopping all exploration and provide that Ireland will now be dependent on others and on international circumstances such that if things go wrong, the country must, in effect, close down. That is not right or responsible and it is our duty as legislators and Members of the Oireachtas to keep our options open while in no sense abandoning our determination to move from non-renewable to renewable energy sources for the Irish public.

The amendments in my name seek to prevent the Bill proceeding to the next Stage as it is misconceived in principle. It is erroneous and it puts the cart before the horse. It is deeply irresponsible to expose Ireland to being a vulnerable taker of energy prices at risk of any international crisis which might threaten our energy supplies. It is not consistent with the fact that, on any view of climate change policy, we will continue to be dependent on a degree of fossil fuel use for the foreseeable future.