Written answers

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Natural Gas Grid

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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119. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the written policy statement against fracked gas imports as promised in the programme for Government will include a ban on fracked gas via the interconnector from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35009/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government sets out that, as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG terminals that import fracked gas. The Programme for Government is clear that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. This policy statement is being developed by my Department and includes consideration of any necessary legal and regulatory provisions. This includes detailed examination of the European energy and environmental frameworks, in which our national laws operate, to ensure the policy statement will be legally robust. Once finalised, I intend to bring the policy statement to Government for approval.

The gas pipeline connecting Ireland to Northern Ireland, to which the Deputy refers, will be considered as part of the work in developing the policy statement. However, I would note that the main function of this pipeline is to provide a route for natural gas to be supplied to Northern Ireland in the event of a disruption to gas flows through the direct pipeline from Scotland to Northern Ireland.  

In addition, my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. A request for tender for the technical analysis has recently been published. 

The review will inform future policy in relation to natural gas supplies, gas storage, electricity interconnection, emergency reserves and other measures that would enhance our security of supply. This will be done in the context of the doubling of the electricity generated from renewable sources to 70% of Ireland’s final consumption and the achievement of net zero emissions by 2050.

I expect that the review will be completed by the end of 2021.

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