Mr. Matthew Collins:

I will try to cover all of the questions raised by the Deputies. To answer Deputy Stanley's question I will have to refer to some technical experts on fossil fuel replacements for the fertiliser industry. On the more general point he made about recognising the potential for offshore wind, wave energy and other renewable energies, what is important about the approach the Department is taking is we want to see a portfolio of technologies.

We would not advocate that one technology should be excluded or is a failure. There are many emerging technologies in the renewable area which we hope would have great potential as well. The model suggests that we will need a range of different types of energy sources and the uses of different technology to deliver on the 1.5° Celsius objectives. It is not a case of either-or or one or the other. What we need to do is develop a mixture of options.

There was a query about the renewable energy sector as well. The point made in that regard was a good one. One thing that we are working on in terms of the renewable energy systems, RES, policy is to help diversify the range of renewable options that can be brought into the system. It is an important point that has been raised. We are in the process of changing the policy in that area to encourage that.

Reference was also made to biomass, which was identified by University College Cork, UCC, as a potential energy source. It is interesting because UCC is the only one to have looked at the local energy system in terms of the Irish energy system in the future, going forward to 2020 and 2050, so its work is particularly informative from that perspective because it is directly applicable to Ireland whereas many of the studies apply to regions or take a global perspective. In recent years UCC has carried out quite a bit of work in that area which is very informative for the committee. It has included biomass in long-term, ambitious scenarios that are compliant with the Paris Agreement. Biomass is definitely another optional energy source for the future. What we want to ensure is that we have a portfolio mix that provides resilience for the supply of energy in Ireland going forward.

Deputy Eamon Ryan asked about prospectivity and whether there is any oil or gas out there. He mentioned the Celtic Sea. It is important to recognise that there are ongoing exploration activities taking place in the Atlantic, the Celtic Sea and the north west, in the Slyne region near where the Corrib field is. There are a number of regions in Ireland that are considered to have prospectivity in terms of future reserves. We cannot predict where the reserves are going to be. That is the risk that is borne by the exploration companies, not the State.