Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate Deputy Flaherty providing me with the opportunity to respond to this important issue. I am answering on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ryan. The routing of gas pipelines, or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network, are matters for Gas Networks Ireland which is a commercial State-sponsored body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the statutorily independent energy regulator. Gas Networks Ireland is mandated under section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has, since 2002, been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators which wish to develop and-or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, therefore, has no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network.

The programme for Government commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, which is a 51% reduction over the decade, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Any measures taken to reduce energy emissions will be coherent with our overall decarbonisation goals.

The Deputy also raised the issue of how large energy users can reduce their energy emissions, utilise energy efficiencies and apply renewable technologies. In this regard, a range of other supports and schemes for businesses are also funded by the Department under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI. These include the excellence in energy efficiency design, EXEED, grant scheme supporting businesses to undertake design, construction and commissioning projects using the EXEED certification process. It also includes the support scheme for renewable heat, which financially supports businesses in adopting renewable energy for heat, including heat pumps and heating systems using biomass or biogas. Project assistance grants help to fund feasibility studies and business cases for energy performance improvements. They also include SEAI's training, information and advisory services, which include the online, free-to-use SEAI energy academy and the SEAI's large industry energy network where members work together to improve energy performance and share experiences.

While I cannot specifically provide any assurance in relation to extending the gas grid to Longford, I hope that some of the information about how businesses can be supported to reduce their emissions is of benefit to the Deputy.

I will provide further detail on the importance, as the Deputy mentioned, of the just transition. We have a strong programme for Government commitment on the just transition for the midlands region, including the Deputy's home county of Longford, counties Westmeath, Offaly and Roscommon and many other areas currently affected by the transition process and our decarbonisation goals. The ongoing investment in the midlands region and its strengthening will be important for jobs and also in ensuring that communities are brought with us in a constructive, collaborative way.

The Deputy referred to the importance of the just transition and investment in the midlands region. I will provide further detail on that in a moment. I will also bring the specific information about this proposal to the attention of the Minister.

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