Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the positions Ireland has taken and will be taking in relation to the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the European Union, the State of Israel and the Arab Republic of Egypt in respect of energy supply; and if Ireland will be pushing for a differentiation in respect of the way the agreement will apply to the Occupied Territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35078/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The crisis in Ukraine has brought into sharp focus the EU and Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuel imports. We must continue to accelerate the clean energy transition, focussing on energy efficiency and renewable energies. The best way to secure our energy needs is to continue to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Climate Action Plan 2021 sets us on a pathway to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels dramatically by 2030.

The RePowerEU Plan launched by the European Commission on 8 March 2022 sets out a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030 in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This communication sets out new actions to ramp up the production of green energy, diversify supplies and reduce demand, focusing primarily on gas, which significantly influences the electricity market and where the global market is less liquid.

As part of this plan, the European Commission is engaging with other countries to ensure sufficient and timely supply of natural gas to the EU from diverse sources across the globe to avoid supply shocks, including those that could result from disruptions.  Ireland is not involved directly in these negotiations, but will continue  work closely with the European Commission and Member States to deliver upon the ambition of the RePowerEU communication.