Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. As outlined in the programme for Government, we committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and achieve a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030, while achieving net zero by no later than 2050. We have been making significant progress in that regard. We also committed to achieving 80% of Ireland's electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. It is important to use the opportunity to inform the House that by June this year, there will be no coal in our energy generation. There is no peat. We have been moving very quickly and approximately 33% of our energy is generated through renewables in an average year. We want to increase that.

As the Deputy said, I recently sought approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. This is a transitory measure, as identified in the energy security review to secure Ireland's energy systems in the medium term as we continue to transition, as detailed in our climate action plan, to indigenous, clean renewable energy. The mitigation measure will be complemented by other actions identified in the energy security review which focus on securing Ireland's future energy system in the long term by moving from an oil- and gas-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential, flexibility and integration into Europe's energy system. I fully stand over the decision we made on the State-led strategic gas reserve. I would be in dereliction of my duty if I ignored the advice we got about the risk to Ireland's electricity generation - and the risk to Ireland full stop - if we did not have a strategic gas reserve.

The plant to which the Deputy referred, the proposed Shannon LNG terminal, is a privately-owned, commercial proposal. The assessment of a planning application for this development is a matter for An Bord Pleanála. I will not be intervening.

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