Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Dr. Deane has engaged in a fair bit of commentary, accepting that our supply chain through Britain makes us slightly different from other parts of the European Union. Geopolitically, it is fair to say that things are not going particularly well for Vladimir Putin. One of the only games in play that is working for him is the fact that we are facing economic carnage. We have severe worries at this point about the entire energy sector. We must ensure Mr. Putin does not get that win and that we keep the show on the road, as was done during the Covid pandemic, societally and economically. That would maintain necessary solidarity across Europe and even with Ukraine. There has been talk to the effect that the EU and European Commission have not been sufficiently imaginative or have been slow to the game. From here on in, what do we need to do that has not been proposed?

I have a question on our weakness in respect of gas storage. I get the idea that if we are considering gas storage, we must be careful that we do not make an agreement with a commercial entity that locks us in for 40 or 45 years. We must ensure what we need to do as quickly as possible. On the wider question, Dr. Deane expressed his fear that, while we could have a green hydrogen strategy, we do not necessarily have the capacity to put it into operation yet. It is a matter of alternatives in that regard.

Could any of the witnesses respond on geothermal energy? I brought up the issue of communal heating systems and the difficulties with them, but I am aware that the SEAI and even the Department are considering the feasibility of using geothermal energy as a possible solution to replace the gas-fed heating system. They are specifically examining Carlinn Hall in Dundalk. I have a particular interest in the latter but I am just wondering about the witnesses' views on that.