Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I support the amendment, in respect of which Deputy Broughan makes a valid point. It is one matter to make available to the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, a variety of locations and sources necessary to meet our supply needs for 90, 100 or 120 days, but it is important that those sources be accessible to the State. Events over which we have no control, which might be political, environmental, or the result of a disaster at sea, for example, could prevent access to oil stocks by the authorities. The Bill would be strengthened by a provision that those stocks must be held within the State where they are accessible and can be protected and where there is direct responsibility for them in so far as the institutions of state are concerned.

In the parlance associated with issues of energy supply, we have all come to know that security of supply is a major factor. A wide range of issues can affect security of supply. An outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East or elsewhere or a security threat, for example, might set in motion procedures that make it impossible to access storage facilities. In such circumstances, it might not be possible for NORA to carry out its functions in ensuring access to the stockpiled fuel supplies necessary to run the utilities of the nation.

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