Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide the details of fuel shortage plans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30526/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Any significant disruption to the supply of oil has to potential to impact across all sectors, and accordingly any response would utilise the established Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework structures for dealing with a major emergency, to provide for a ‘whole of Government’ response.  In such circumstances, my Department would become the Lead Government Department and convene and chair the National Emergency Coordination Group in the National Emergency Coordination Centre (NECC). Key to any response would be the implementing of contingency plans, including as the primary response tool, the release to the market of oil stocks managed by the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) from the State’s strategic oil reserve and the communication to the general public of the need to reduce their usage of petroleum products by eliminating unnecessary journey's and eco-driving etc.  In the unlikely event of a prolonged and severe shortage it may be necessary to prioritise the supply of product to the emergency and crucial services. Such contingency planning is kept under review and has recently been updated in the context of the war in Ukraine.

On May 26th my Department, as part of ongoing oil contingency planning, chaired a desktop oil emergency exercise in the NECC.  The exercise was attended by key Government Departments, Agencies and key oil industry participants with a range of expertise, including in shipping, logistics and retailing. The exercise included the modelling of significant oil shortages in domestic supply chains.

While significant and prolonged oil emergencies are considered unlikely, oil emergency exercises are conducted periodically by the Department.  Such exercises are considered a valuable tool in ensuring the State is prepared to respond effectively to any significant supply disruption.  In particular, NORA ensures that it remains ready to release product onto the market at short notice, if required.

The Deputy will be pleased to note however that the oil industry have expressed confidence to the Department about the reliability of oil supplies going forward.