Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 26 and 27 of 4 November 2020, the financial implications or fines arising from the failure of Ireland to meet Regulation (EU) No. 994/2010 from 1 January 2021 on the security of gas supply, which requires member states to comply with the N-1 formula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38914/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The ‘N-1’ infrastructure standard is set out in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 on measures to safeguard security of gas supply, which replaced Regulation (EU) 994/2010.

Ireland will continue to meet the infrastructure standard on a regional basis with the UK until the end of this year. From 1 January 2021, following the end of the transition period, Ireland will not be in a position to meet the infrastructure standard. It should be noted this will not have an adverse impact on security of supply as the same natural gas infrastructure will remain in place.

As part of the Brexit process, my Department has discussed Ireland's future inability to meet the infrastructure standard with the European Commission. It is noted that this compliance issue arises as a direct result of Brexit which is expected to be taken into account by the Commission.

Ireland continues to work with our EU partners in the negotiations with the UK to ensure continued future cooperation on natural gas security of supply.

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