Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with the Deputy that there is great opportunity for Ireland in the context of generating offshore wind and wave energy. However, the reality is that offshore facilities offer less than 1% of our renewable sources. It is the sector that needs to be developed in the coming years. We have the ambition that by 2030 we will have 70% of our power generated from renewable sources. However, when the wind does not blow and the sun does not shine, we still need alternatives and back-up. Until we have identified other sources that can be introduced into our network on a cost-effective basis, the back-up remains gas opportunity. Ireland is not on the verge of tipping from 84% dependence on fossil fuels to 15% or anything like it. We have a long, slow journey to make. We have to support people to make those changes. Pretending that there is a magic bullet or that by stopping exploration suddenly Irish people would not be burning coal, oil or gas is an illusion. It will not change the reality facing the Government or communities. People are too dependent on these fuels and we have to help them break that dependency.

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