Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I referenced the energy security package the Minister, Deputy Ryan, spoke to last week. This concerns the consideration of the development of a State-owned LNG facility. It is not a very different proposal from a commercial LNG facility. Any such process will still have to go through public engagement through An Coimisiún Pleanála. There is a timeline for decision making, full public participation and environmental assessment.

I have outlined to the Senator the incredible achievements we have made. At the outset of the Government, we were told 7% was not going to be achievable. We have got to 6.8%, something we were told was too ambitious. That is not just down to Government policy; that is down to the people of Ireland because they want this to happen. We are reducing our energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels. The objective of Government under the climate action plan is to phase out reliance on gas. These achievements have been made, but it is important that in acting responsibly, we acknowledge the issue of security of supply. That is what is being addressed in this amendment.