Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 16 November 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Update on Issues in Aviation Sector: Engagement with Mr. Willie Walsh

Mr. Willie Walsh:

Yes. It is of huge significance. Anything that can be done, in particular on the development of green hydrogen is important because that will be the key that unlocks the answer for the airline industry. If we can produce green hydrogen at reasonable cost to produce e-kerosene, it is a fantastic opportunity, but it must be green. There is no point in us using hydrogen to produce a liquid fuel if it is using huge amounts of energy and generating carbon and CO2 as a result of that. I give full credit to Ryanair and Michael O'Leary for the investment in Trinity College to pursue these developments. That is a great opportunity for Ireland to reduce its imported fuel, in particular when we look at what we are currently facing with the huge spike in energy costs. Anything we can do to generate greater energy independence is a real positive. If green hydrogen is an option for Ireland, I would strongly support it.

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