James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the very important matter of Ireland's energy security following the invasion of Ukraine. I hear the Deputy's considered views and opinions. I will certainly bring them the Minister's attention. The best way to secure our energy needs is to continue to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets us on a pathway to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels dramatically by 2030. Measures include the following: aiming for up to 80% of our electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030, including an increased target of up to 5 GW of offshore wind, 8 GW from onshore wind and 1.5 GW to 2.5 GW from solar PV; 500,000 extra walking, cycling and public transport journeys per day by 2030; and an increase in the proportion of kilometres driven by passenger electric cars to between 40% and 45% by 2030, in addition to a reduction of 10% in kilometres driven by the remaining internal combustion engine cars.

IEA members hold emergency stockpiles of 1.5 billion barrels of oil. Yesterday's IEA announcement of an initial release of 60 million barrels, or 4% of that stockpile, is equivalent to 2 million barrels a day for 30 days. This sends a unified and strong message to global markets that there will be no shortfall in supplies as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Any disruption of Russian gas supplies would maintain upward pressure on European gas prices with knock-on effects on electricity prices. In the unlikely event of any gas supply emergency, there is excellent co-operation between Irish and UK gas system operators. Gas Networks Ireland, GNI, is the designated national gas emergency manager appointed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. GNI prepares a natural gas emergency plan which sets out a detailed procedure for managing a network gas emergency and provides details on the role of GNI as the national gas emergency manager. In the medium to long term, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland's electricity and natural gas systems, focusing on the period through to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.

See this speech in context