John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the fact that of the total of 24 measures with specific 2007 deadlines in the energy White Paper, 15 have not been done, and only six were done on time; his further views on whether this is an acceptable level of achievement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10655/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Energy White Paper sets out over 200 policy actions, measures, goals and targets that are designed to deliver on security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness over the period to 2020. We are making fundamental changes to the way we provide and use energy. Ireland's sustainable energy future depends on it. The Programme for Government underlines the imperative to secure long term energy security and sustainability and a low carbon future for Ireland. The urgent and massive challenge of climate change underscores this imperative. The comprehensive policy actions under way in the White Paper, together with the additional commitments in the Programme for Government, will result in a transformed landscape for the Irish energy sector.

The ambitious policy actions and measures in the White Paper have different timelines and challenges. We are working to deliver on them all in a timely manner. I am working in partnership with my Government colleagues and with all stakeholders to deliver that change. Action is already under way across all the key deliverables. I have launched a range of initiatives in relation to accelerating delivery of renewable energy targets, energy efficiency, distributed generation and demand side management including the National Smart Meters Programme. The review of the all-island energy market development framework is underway with Northern Ireland colleagues and we successfully launched the Single Electricity Market in November 2007. I am satisfied that very significant progress is being made across the measures in the Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2006, the last year for which figures are available, over 90% of Ireland's total energy requirement was imported, and 66% was imported from the UK; the consequences this would have in the event of an energy crisis affecting the UK in particular; the detail of the contingency plans he has in place to deal with such a scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10672/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The statistics in relation to reliance on energy imports underline the imperative for contingency planning but crucially underline the imperative need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The Government is committed to delivering on our targets for the accelerated development of renewable energy in the electricity, heating and transport sectors which will progressively reduce our dependence on imported oil and gas.

The Government's Energy Policy Framework identifies the need to develop longer term strategies to reduce over-reliance on gas imports from the UK. The actions set out in the Framework include long term strategic planning by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in relation to security of gas supply and working within the European Union to deliver fully integrated regional gas markets for Northern Europe and diversification of supply. The CER has granted a gas storage licence to Marathon Oil Ireland Ltd to make available to third parties the full capability of its depleted Kinsale facility, which has a capacity of 7 billion cubic feet (bcf). This is the first such storage facility in Ireland and BGÉ has contracted to use over 5 bcf of it. At current levels, BGÉ's Kinsale reserves can supply 50% of non-daily metered customer requirements, that is, small business and domestic, for up to 50 days.

Shannon LNG, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of Hess LNG Ltd is planning the construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal near Tarbert on the Shannon Estuary. The project is being considered from a planning perspective under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act. The project could potentially provide up to 40% of Ireland's gas requirements and may also have a positive impact on the security of our gas supply by improving our connectivity to the global gas market. The All-Island Energy Market Development Framework identified the need for a North/South approach to natural gas storage and LNG. My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland, jointly commissioned a study last year to assess the medium to long-term position with regard to security of natural gas supply on an All-Island basis and the scope for an all-island approach to natural gas storage and LNG. The outcome of the study, which has recently been completed, is currently being assessed by both Departments. The connection of the Corrib gas field will also reduce our dependence on gas imports over its lifespan.

The robustness of existing gas interconnection and the planned electricity interconnection between Ireland and Britain, are critical for Ireland's security of energy supply. The current interconnection capacity with the UK Grid (through Northern Ireland) of 300 MW, will be increased by 500 MW with the delivery of the new East West electricity interconnector between Ireland and Wales by 2012. Enhanced interconnection, in both electricity and gas, will also integrate Ireland into the wider EU regional energy market.

In 2006, the latest year for which figures are available 66% of Ireland's oil imports were sourced from the UK with crude accounting for 8% and products accounting for 92% of these imports. In the same year Norway accounted for 28% of our oil imports, of which crude accounted for 91% and products 9%. The Irish downstream industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. My Department has commissioned a strategic review of the security of Ireland's access to commercial oil supplies. My Department has in place contingency arrangements to deal with oil supply disruptions. As a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ireland would be entitled to its share of available IEA oil stock in the event of a significant oil supply disruption.

In relation to contingency planning, Bord Gáis Networks, as National Emergency Manager for the gas network, has detailed arrangements in place to maintain supplies in the event of a shortage of gas imports from the UK. Bord Gáis also works closely with the ESB and EirGrid, under the direction of the CER, to ensure coordination between the emergency arrangements for both the gas and electricity networks. My Department is working to finalise implementation of EU Directive 2004/67 on measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply. This will clearly define the roles and responsibilities of gas market players relative to security of supply in the context of the liberalised natural gas market. Bord Gáis participates in the UK arrangements for gas emergencies, which ensures that we are informed of both the procedures in place in the UK and the potential impact that any curtailment of gas supply in the UK could have on Ireland.