Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Energy Security: Motion (Resumed)

 

6:00 pm

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Sargent outlined the position regarding oil. We are all concerned that reserves will not be able to provide for the future. This makes it incumbent on us to ensure security of supply of the energy we require. In that respect, I welcome the initiatives taken by Shannon Development and other State agencies. Shannon Development has focused attention on the idea of having a green energy park around the Shannon estuary. The objective is to develop technologies which will provide for future electricity generation through the harnessing of wind, wave and tidal power and the spin-off from such development. If these pilot projects can be developed into the next layer of technology in terms of energy generation, it will create potential for the country and region. Much work is being done on which we must build.

Discussion on the development of all-island gas security through support from the European framework for security in gas supply is helpful. An LNG plant has been proposed for Ballylongford. As well as providing for the storage of gas in the region, such a facility would add to our strategic gas reserve capacity. It would also provide considerable jobs in its construction phase. When trying to bring in a large project, we have to look at the road-blocks along the way. I understand there is a delay in the delivery of the foreshore licence, so there are issues we need to resolve as part of the delivery of critical infrastructure and we need to keep a focus on them.

There has been much talk about other elements of renewable technologies that need to be examined, especially in bio-energy areas such as oceanic energy. There is a considerable role for the Government to develop the micro-enterprises by assisting them in research and using the results to develop the companies.

The Government has also played a positive role in the conservation of energy. The various schemes that have been introduced such as efficiency programmes, home insulation schemes and the national retrofit programme are clearly designed to minimise the use of energy and thereby allow us to evolve as a society, using what we need rather than what we might have wanted in the past. That is a considerable challenge for society. We have to do our business in a different way.

I commend the Minister's efforts and I look forward to his continued direction of the various projects that have been identified. I commend his efforts to continue the debate on the necessity to conserve, reduce and eliminate where possible the waste of a very scarce resource, in order to ensure that we have the capacity to provide for future generations.

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