Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether Ireland’s indigenous off-shore hydrocarbon assets should be considered as a development priority based on Ireland’s energy security grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15796/22]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

192. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on and if he supports the recent comments from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Dáil Éireann when they confirmed that the Irish Government will be supportive of licensing for gas and that if gas is found it will be brought ashore; if so, the steps that are being taken by his Department with respect to progressing the actions required to facilitate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15797/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas on the same basis as the decision taken in 2019 by the previous Government in relation to oil exploration and extraction. This commitment was made effective immediately upon the current Government taking office, and was placed on a statutory footing on commencement of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.

Holders of existing authorisations are not affected by these changes, and may apply to progress their authorisations through the licensing stages towards a natural conclusion – which may include expiry, relinquishment or production. This means that a future commercial discovery in an existing authorisation could potentially reach production. Any applications for follow-on authorisations or applications to conduct petroleum activities in the Irish offshore under an authorisation require Ministerial consent, and are required to meet environmental, technical and financial standards as appropriate.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

193. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department will provide assistance in the form of an allowance for the burning of coal for organisations that have heritage vehicles such as steam engines as these vehicles are used in vintage car shows to raise vital funds and awareness for charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15896/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

New regulations on the use of solid fuels in Ireland, due to take effect from 1 September this year, are to apply to solid fuels that are placed on the market for heating in residential and licensed premises. This will not impact on fuels supplied for the purposes of powering vintage machinery, and as such, there are no plans to provide any form of financial assistance or allowances in relation to the supply of fuel for this purpose.