Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The scope of this question has moved from Abkhazia and South Ossetia to west Mayo, in the Deputy's constituency. The recent decreases in the price of oil and other major commodities are causing serious budgetary problems for the Russian Federation, which is a major supplier of such commodities to many parts of the world. The Deputy's supplementary question relates to this country's strategic reserves. If he wants an accurate response, he should table a detailed question to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I assure him that the Government's continued commitment to the development of an interconnector, as part of a wider North-South and east-west energy region, is an important aspect of its energy policy. In addition, the increased reliance on renewable energy sources — with a target of 40% of the island's energy supply coming from renewables by 2020 — will offer a major strategic advantage in terms of security of supply for the future. The ability to bring gas onto our own shore, in the Deputy's constituency, will also be of great benefit, and we hope that can happen as quickly as possible.

See this speech in context