Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the up-to-date position regarding efforts to strengthen Ireland's energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19903/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Energy Security Framework, which was published in April 2022, provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It outlines measures 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.

Like most European countries, Ireland faced a challenging winter in securing our energy supplies. Despite record levels of demand in electricity we have avoided system alerts this winter thanks to favourable weather conditions; interconnection support from UK; significant generation plant maintenance delivered last summer; batteries; and peak demand reduction efforts. Similarly, we have had no interruption to our gas and oil supplies.

In electricity, margins are expected to remain tight throughout this year. The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this and next winter and lower peak demand during these periods.

Looking forward, my Department is working on an Energy Security Package which seeks to address the energy security challenges facing Ireland with a range of new and existing actions. This Package is made up of five pillars including the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems, the McCarthy Report (an independent review of the security of electricity supply), the next steps for the National Energy Security Framework, oil security of supply and the Climate Action Plan.