John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Although I am not a member of the committee, I take a great interest in the matter. I suggest that when the committee invites representatives from the Department, it might also invite Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid and possibly Professor John FitzGerald, who sat on the Irish Energy Research Council and is an independent assessor of our energy needs. The majority of our guests are not in favour of the LNG facility. For balance, I must point to some statements made by what I consider relevant bodies. The Irish Academy of Engineering's report on the security of Ireland's gas supply of July 2018 stated:

Relying on imported gas from Britain for all of Ireland’s gas supply beyond 2030 is not advisable. Alternative sources of supply and supply routes need to be developed. Developing a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import terminal in Ireland would enhance Ireland’s security of gas supply and provide access to the increasingly competitive global LNG market.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in its long-term resilience study conducted by Gas Networks Ireland and EirGrid in 2018, stated:

A sustainable, secure gas supply is crucial for the long-term competitiveness of Ireland’s economy, and is integral to Government energy policy ... Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has the potential to offer a significant security of supply benefit as well as access to a diversified worldwide LNG market.

Finally, the Economic and Social Research Institute, in its liquefied natural gas storage valuation of March 2019, stated:

The research shows that an Irish LNG facility would allow Irish consumers to benefit from highly competitive global LNG markets, thus bringing a reduction in their annual energy bill. Ireland is currently partially dependent on the UK to meet its gas supplies. However, this research shows that an Irish LNG facility can reduce this dependence.

Significant scientific evidence supports the provision of an LNG facility in this country. I would like the committee to be offered such opinions in good time.

Dr. Deane stated it is impossible to tell how many fracked gas molecules are imported from the UK, although there is an LNG facility there. Whether that facility imports from Qatar, Australia or America, in time some fracked gas will be imported into the country. He also stated energy will come from France through the development of a 700 MW interconnector, which will be predominantly produced by nuclear power. There has been a ban on nuclear energy development in this country since 1999. If the argument is that we should not accept fracked gas, should we also refuse to accept energy produced by nuclear power?

I am interested in that opinion.