Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

214. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union creates new concerns from an energy security point of view; if not, if it creates new obligations for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23289/22]

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

Notwithstanding the UK leaving the EU, the interconnection infrastructure remains the same as when the UK was a Member State and gas and electricity continue to be traded. There also continues good cooperation between Irish and UK system operators. Gas supply from the UK is considered one of the most secure in Europe with diverse supplies of natural gas from indigenous production, pipeline connections to Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands, and substantial capacity for liquified natural gas imports. However, it should be noted that the UK’s indigenous production is decreasing, resulting in increased imports of liquified natural gas.

Gas Networks Ireland and the National Grid, which operates the gas transmission system in Great Britain, have a Joint Protocol for Load Shedding at the Moffat Interconnection Point in Gas Supply Emergencies. This protocol sets out that, in the event of a shortage of natural gas supply in the UK that could affect supplies in Ireland, the overriding principal that will be applied is one of proportionality. This seeks to ensure that, in the event of a disruption to gas supplies, any reductions would be on a proportional basis across the UK and Ireland.

The UK is no longer bound by EU law on obligations related to energy security. The UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides a legal framework for cooperation on security of gas and electricity supply between the EU and the UK. The TCA commits both parties to develop appropriate frameworks for cooperation with respect to the security of supply of electricity and natural gas.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

215. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to an Icelandic oil drilling operation close to the bounds of Irish territory near the Maury Channel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23301/22]

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

I am not aware of an Icelandic oil drilling operation near the Maury Channel. The petroleum functions within my Department extend to the regulation of petroleum authorisations (and offshore activity under those authorisations) issued in accordance with the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 in respect of areas under Irish jurisdiction. Information on all petroleum authorisations is updated and published on a quarterly basis on gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/publication/10d43-acreage-reports-and-concession-maps/). The most recent such report and Concession Map cover the three month period ending 31 March 2022.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

216. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the up-to-date position regarding the review of the security of energy supply; if a draft or preliminary report has been issued to him or to his Department; if so, when the draft report issue; when he will publish the report; the reason for delaying the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23391/22]

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

The National Energy Security Framework, published in April 2022, is a response to the challenges of ensuring the ongoing and long-term security of affordable energy supply. The Framework provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability.As stated in the National Energy Security Framework, my Department is carrying out a review of the energy security of Ireland's gas and electricity systems for delivery in Q3 2022. The review is considering the risks to both natural gas and electricity supplies, and a range of measures, including the need for additional capacity to import energy, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases (such as hydrogen).

The underpinning analysis is now being updated to, amongst other things, reflect changing circumstances following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war has highlighted key dependencies in our energy system which can no longer be relied on and has led to affordability issues for many consumers and businesses.