Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are still 80% reliant on importation of fossil fuels more broadly across the energy portfolio. We are making good progress on the contribution of renewables to electricity where I think we are at 41% or 43%. The point is that gas will be a transitional backup fuel for a long time, behind our renewables effort. The Deputy is correct that this war means we have to double down on renewables. However, alongside and parallel with renewables, we will need gas. We have to be clear about that. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has been working for quite some time on an energy security review. The war has thrown into sharp focus our dependency on imported fossil fuels but also vulnerabilities across Europe in terms of security of supply. That is why Europe is moving strongly on liquefied natural gas now to stop its dependency on Russian gas and oil. The German Government is making it very clear that it is going to reduce its dependency and it is very highly dependent. We are going to have to watch the energy security side of the equation as well. We are focused particularly on next winter.

See this speech in context