Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First of all, the figure is 40% of our renewable electricity by 2020. I am determined to try to achieve that target.

The production, sourcing, buying and selling of natural gas produced outside this jurisdiction is an operational matter for the undertakings involved. There are a number of supply sources, with North America potentially one of those. Qatar is the largest producer of natural gas in the world and provides a substantial amount of LNG to Wales.

A number of projects have been proposed. I visited a floating LNG facility when I was in Malta last year. It has provided security of supply to that country.

The reality as the Deputy knows - it would be disingenuous not to acknowledge the fact - is that we are reliant on gas coming in through the interconnectors with the UK. If for geopolitical reasons gas was turned off in eastern Europe, it would have significant implications for employment, individuals and families in this country. My priority has to be to ensure that people have heat and electricity in the morning when they get up and that they have jobs to go to. My No. 1 priority as energy Minister is to ensure security of supply and that same has as low a level of impact on our environment as possible.

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