Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to pursue a bilateral energy security treaty with the new British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23104/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I look forward to working with the new Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne on all matters of mutual interest including energy security. I met Minister of State Charles Hendry at the Energy Council yesterday 31st May during which we touched on a number of bilateral energy issues including gas security and emergency planning. I am hoping to have a bilateral with Secretary Huhne in the coming weeks.

Currently around 96% of Ireland's gas needs are met by imports from the UK via the two subsea interconnectors with Scotland. This infrastructure also supplies the gas needs of Northern Ireland, through the Scotland Northern Ireland Pipeline, and the Isle of Man.

The three interconnectors are operated by Gaslink, a subsidiary of Bord Gáis, on behalf of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. International treaties between the Governments of Ireland and the UK were signed on the construction of each of the two subsea interconnectors. The Treaties set out the terms for the operation of the pipelines and include provisions on security.

There also are gas emergency arrangements in place between Ireland and the UK. In the event of a need to reduce gas load in the UK, the arrangements provide that Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man will be given equal treatment on a pro rata basis. Emergency plans for both gas and electricity are tested with the UK through joint annual emergency exercises.

Given the high level of integration of the UK and Ireland's gas systems, there is a close bilateral working relationship with the UK on energy security issues, including liaison on EU developments. The interests of Northern Ireland are also fully reflected under the bilateral framework.

These bilateral arrangements will be enhanced through the framework for regional and EU cooperation on security of gas supply under the forthcoming European gas security of supply Regulation. The Regulation is expected to be adopted later in the year. The Regulation will require Member States to formally consult with each other as part of their emergency planning processes. This provision will underpin the existing arrangements between Ireland and the UK.

We are working very closely with the UK and Northern Ireland to ensure optimum coordination of existing emergency arrangements. We will also be fully collaborating with the UK to ensure maximum coordination on the implementation of the forthcoming Regulation to mutual benefit. This includes the further formal enshrining, as necessary, of bilateral arrangements for security and emergency planning.

Apart from cooperation with the North and the UK, there are other fora for regional cooperation where issues related to energy supply and security arise.

We work closely with our colleagues in the energy sectoral group of the British-Irish Council (BIC), specifically on grid infrastructure and marine energy issues. The BIC Members are Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, Scotland, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. The enhancement of the Grid linking these islands, and with mainland Europe, is a key opportunity to realise greater levels of security of supply and sustainability. I discussed these issues with my colleagues at the inaugural Ministerial meeting of the BIC Energy Group in London in March. We will explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation again at the BIC Summit in Guernsey towards the end of this month when I look forward to meeting Secretary Huhne.

One area for discussion between BIC members relates to the announcement of the EU North Seas' Grid Initiative on 7 December 2009. Under this initiative, the Irish and UK Governments have agreed to work with the Governments of Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden and Norway to develop an integrated offshore grid in the North and Irish Seas.

In addition, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland are conducting the Irish Scottish Links in Electricity Study (ISLES) study to establish the viability of an offshore electricity grid network to exploit wind, wave and tidal resources in the Irish Sea and Atlantic coastal areas.