Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

One of the aspects of Brexit that does not seem to have gained much traction, and in respect of which there is a serious complacency on the part of Government, is the question of its implications for the energy security of the State. Ireland has very few natural energy resources, meaning we have to import most of what we need. Perhaps the Government has been made complacent by the commencement of gas production at Corrib at the end of 2015, but that supply will decline within five years. We must avoid putting all our eggs in that basket.

There was an interesting article by Joe Brennan in The Irish Times on Tuesday, in which he refers to a report by the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies which expresses concern that Ireland might be effectively cut off from continental Europe's gas market when the UK leaves the EU. The UK might try to gain leverage in the talks, a representative of the institute noted, by arguing it offers the cheapest way to provide security of supply to Irish customers. The report states that Ireland will need to build a dedicated terminal to import liquefied natural gas and convert it back into gas.

In that context, it is all the more amazing that we have had only an astounding silence from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in respect of a particular project that is in line with the recommendations in the report to which I referred. That project is located in the Shannon Estuary in north Kerry, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach will know, and is shovel ready, all planning stages having been completed. Furthermore, the State owns the property, it contains natural waterways and there is very little investment required in terms of docking and marine site facilities. The delay in bringing the project to fruition has been going on for years. Four months ago, a group representing all political parties in the county, business interests and community groups, and headed up by the mayor of Kerry, met the Minister, Deputy Naughten, to discuss the status of the project. We have heard nothing since. Members are probably bored of hearing me raise this issue by now.

I call on the Leader once again to ask the Minister to set up a task force or interdepartmental group to work on this project, which is vital for our long-term energy security. It is a clean, safe and environmentally friendly project that will safeguard our energy needs into the distant future and create a huge number of jobs in an area that has been badly let down in the past ten or 12 years.