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

We are absolutely committed to continuing the transition to renewable energy. We are making progress on that with onshore wind. We have created the infrastructure, which I set up in my previous Department under the marine planning Act and the creation of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. We have six planning applications in for offshore renewables. I will bring forward proposals to Government shortly regarding the acceleration of the designated maritime area plan, DMAP, process.

Ireland's future is with green energy. It will be good for our economy, climate and people. In the meantime, we have to make sure we prepare for events we cannot foresee. When I received very clear advice in the 2030 energy risk report that our energy system is at risk and we do not have a strategic gas reserve, I had to act upon that. I am interested to note the Deputy has confirmed the Labour Party is opposed to having a reserve. I take it the party is opposed to the oil reserve we have in this country already. We will continue to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels but we have to protect our energy infrastructure. If we had an event that disrupted the gas supply, be that from the Corrib gas field or Scotland, we would have maybe three days of normal energy supply.

How would we run our hospitals, our businesses - those type of things? This is the correct decision. I respect the Deputy's view on it. He has been clear that the Labour Party does not support a strategic gas reserve, and that makes me wonder if the party is serious about energy policy at all.

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