Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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151. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52748/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Development Plan sets out that energy supply is vital for the proper functioning of society and the economy. It also notes that 700,000 customers rely on the natural gas grid to heat and power their homes and businesses. Natural gas currently generates half the electricity we use and the National Development Plan sets out the need for circa 2,000 MW of new conventional electricity generation capacity over the course of the coming decade with much of this needed by mid-decade. This generation, most of which will be gas-fired, is needed in order to support the operation of the electricity system and provide security of supply for when variable generation, principally wind and solar, is not sufficient to meet demand. Due to Ireland's growing reliance on imported natural gas from a single source at Moffat in Scotland, my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review is being carried out for the period to 2030 in the context of net zero emissions by 2050. A technical analysis is currently underway which will be published later this year to help inform a public consultation. It is planned to complete the policy review in the first half of next year. This review will inform future Government policy.

In advance of the completion of this review, it is Government policy that it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. This policy was set out in the Government's Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas which was published in May of this year.

I am aware that a planning application including an LNG terminal was recently made to An Bord Pleanála. In this regard, I have written to An Bord Pleanála setting out Government policy in relation to that application - which is that it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with at this time.