Mr. Leo Galvin:

I thank the members and Chair of the committee for hosting the meeting and for the opportunity to speak before them today. We, as young people in modern times, are speaking out across the world in strong numbers because we must convey the importance of a message, namely, that climate change is here and change needs to be made. To some degree, the message has been heard but not enough is being done.

I may be here to speak on only one aspect of this issue, but I am speaking here today as a collective with my peers, as a combined voice. I am asking each person listening to take in what we have to say with the future of young people in mind. The issue under the broad umbrella of climate change and the environment I will speak about today is the energy versus emissions crisis in this country, the crisis of energy production.

Ireland has long been conscious of the effects of energy production on the environment. Ireland used to be a nation that led the world in this area. It was ambitious, as we can see with the cases of Ardnacrusha and Turlough Hill, two world leading hydroelectric power plants in their time. These projects were questioned and some opposed them, but they fulfilled a vital need for clean energy.

The issue the world faces is climate change, and Ireland has missed several of its emissions targets towards combating this issue. This makes the necessary goal of net zero emissions by 2050 look more and more unlikely to actually happen. This goal is vital to sustaining the future of young people and, globally, sustaining the future of our planet. Though Ireland should be commended on its rapid investment in wind, solar and hydroelectric energy production, it is not reaching the heights needed to combat climate change.

If we look closer at recent events and compare our situation with that of our European peers, it is clear to see we are not secure in our position as a country. Ireland is heavily reliant on natural gas for its energy production. In fact, 52% is reliant on natural gas. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, has projected that, without change, 90% of Ireland's natural gas supply will be imported by 2030. This is not sustainable for the future of Ireland as it means the majority of our energy will be dependent on the supply from one country. As recent events with fuel supply for energy production have shown us, such a reliance on a single source of natural gas is not a good thing for Ireland's energy security. We need only look as far as Germany's situation with Russia to see an example of the effects of relying predominantly on one country for energy.

Another issue Ireland faces is how to produce energy cost effectively where there is increasing demand for it. Compromising on greenhouse gas emissions by having to reopen another power plant supplied by non-renewable sources is not an option. The solution the Government has been pursuing involves wind, solar and hydroelectricity. The problem is these solutions do not give us energy on demand when there is a need for more energy at a specific time. These forms of energy production do not provide what is needed because they rely on uncontrollable factors to work. In an easier way of explaining it, if the wind stops blowing or if the sun is covered by a cloud, there is no more energy produced by turbines or solar panels. To make sure we have energy when there is no wind or shine, we use batteries. These batteries have a strongly negative impact on the environment.

At the moment, they are not recycled in the numbers they should be, not to mention the costly environmental and human tolls in some countries for extracting the raw materials from which they are made.

One country that may be a prime example for Ireland to follow is France. A Celtic interconnector project has been planned, joining the French and Irish power grids. In addition, France is a pioneer of another type of clean energy Ireland will be using once the interconnector is complete, namely, nuclear energy. The latter may be one solution to the Irish energy versus emissions crisis. This type of energy was considered at Carnsore Point but was passed up for a coal-fired plant. Concerns arising from the Fukushima and Chernobyl accidents have long been dispelled by way of new reactor designs and international safety protocols. Ireland is a prime candidate for nuclear energy, thanks to our low seismic activity, our proximity to, and good relations with, world-leading experts on the subject and the fact we are a neutral country. The advances in this area of clean energy should be explored, with the potential of solving the issue Ireland faces. Leaps and bounds have been made in this area over the past few decades, making nuclear energy production much safer and greener.

In the battle between energy and emissions, in the context of international policies and an ever growing demand for energy, I do not envy the committee's position. As a young person, I am concerned about my future, as are many like me. We have a right to influence and have meaningful input into climate policies that may damage the future. We must do so to ensure there is a future for young people. Renewable energy is everything in modern society and it is the only thing we, as young people, will accept, because it means there will be a world in which to live. We might be on the right path but it is a matter of getting there on time.