Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will ask a couple of quick questions. Considering our dependency on fossil fuels is at 86% and 75% of that is imported, will either of the witnesses indicate, at the time Ireland was permitted to use industrially harvested peat, what percentage of our energy was derived from our peat power stations? Energy security for Ireland, as both speakers have been at pains to say, cannot be dealt with in isolation. It is part of the energy security of Europe and while Ireland is wholly dependent on external factors, we have a major opportunity at this time to harness wind energy.

It is disappointing to hear that in the space of 20 years, we have gone from being a leader to being a laggard. Some of that is down to NIMBYism, some is down to bad policy decisions and a lack of foresight, but given the energy crisis we are now in, what can be done to accelerate the generation of wind energy, especially offshore wind energy? Mr. O'Donoghue stated that planning and permitting takes seven to ten years while construction only takes two years. Surely we can do something at a European level to streamline the permitting and planning process in order to speed it up.

It was mentioned that as a country that is dependent on agriculture, 15% of our natural gas usage could be provided with what I presume is anaerobic digestion. Correct me if I am wrong. Solar power was not mentioned much today. Perhaps the witnesses could explain what could be done to incentivise farmers to invest in anaerobic digestion and solar energy. Mr. O'Donoghue stated the reserves are okay this year at 91%, but most of that is Russian gas and he is concerned about how we will maintain our reserves for 2023-2024. Does he have any suggestions about how to address that?