Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to see this Bill, introduced in February along with my colleagues, Deputies O'Rourke, Guirke and Cronin, reaching Second Stage today. The amendment from the Government would delay the Bill for six months. I would rather it was not delayed but we will accept that amendment and move forward. It is positive that the Government is listening to what we have put forward. We are very fortunate on this island that we have an abundance of natural resources, in both the waters within the State and those that surround it. We are very well-positioned to harness the potential of green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen is made using only renewable power through a process known as electrolysis. For those who have an interest in the science, electrolysis is a process that involves passing an electrical current through water, causing the water to dissociate itself into its constituent chemicals, namely, hydrogen and oxygen. As it is created through 100% renewable power, it is the green alternative to other fields. Across the globe, it is emerging as a key renewable and, importantly, sustainable solution for industries looking to decarbonise. It has been considered for potential use in both maritime and aviation transport. In our State, hydrogen-powered buses have recently been introduced. While limited in numbers, they have had an impact and while currently expensive, they show the potential of hydrogen as a solution.

Despite its benefits and the abundant availability of necessary resources, we do not have a hydrogen strategy as of yet. That is quite bizarre. We are playing catch-up. The European Commission published its hydrogen strategy two years ago in July 2020 and Scotland published its strategy in 2015. We are in serious danger of being left behind. If we are serious about the use of renewable energy, we need to make the most of our resources and create a hydrogen network. Without such a strategy, our ability to attract funding will be hampered, as will our potential to become a world leader in green hydrogen, which I believe we can do. The green hydrogen we produce could be used to reduce our carbon emissions and support us in our ambition to be a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. Not only that, but the potential exists to sell this energy product on the international markets.

In an increasingly unstable world where we are still dealing with the shocks of the economic crash, Brexit, the Covid pandemic and the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has never been more important to build energy security in our own country. This will be good for businesses, consumers and the entire economy. Ireland has huge potential to develop offshore wind farming but we need to ensure ports and coastal communities are supported in these efforts. That support is seriously lacking at the moment. Unfortunately, Belfast's D1 harbour, which I hope to visit soon, remains the only facility on the island that can provide both staging and construction services for offshore wind farms. That said, there are a number of ports across the State that are at various stages of development. I am very proud to say that ports in the mid-west region, including Shannon Foynes and Moneypoint, are looking at investments to get them to the point where they can service the construction of offshore wind energy. Other ports such as Killybegs, the Cork docklands and Rosslare are further along in this development project. The ramping up of investment in these ports and the adoption of all-Ireland approach to issues of energy and climate action will be critical in our efforts to reach climate targets.

Let me be abundantly clear on this next point. If we do not provide the necessary investments for our ports, green hydrogen and offshore wind projects will be directed to countries that are willing to provide such investment. I have no doubt that if we do not build the infrastructure needed in Ireland, others will build ports on the west coast of Britain, in France and even in the Netherlands. In an ironic twist, they will possibly sell their energy to us. The country that should be a world leader in this area will become an importer of energy created by wind and hydrogen if we do not get our act together. Irish wind farms could create jobs in France and support businesses in Holland and across Europe if we get our act together. I understand from feedback from those involved in the industry that some of these foreign ports are already engaging with these projects. Strategic investment must be directed urgently to our ports to enable them to build the necessary infrastructure to support the construction of offshore wind energy. We need to ensure, as far as possible, that we build our own energy security and develop an ability to sell any excess.

This is not to suggest that we as a State have been entirely idle on the issue. The German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce has formed a hydrogen council to forge closer relationships in the field of green energy. Plans for green hydrogen facilities are already in place for both Moneypoint in County Clare and the €200 million green hydrogen plant in Mayo. However, without an international green hydrogen strategy we are limited in our potential for success. Our Bill is simple but crucial. It seeks to ensure that this State is prepared and ready to realise our full potential in the field of green hydrogen. It would have the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications publish a strategy within six months, including provisions for consultation with relevant stakeholders. I welcome that the Government has initiated of the consultation stage of this process. I ask people to engage with that and I look forward to moving forward over the next six months.

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