Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

79. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment what steps he will take to ban liquefied natural gas infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41401/24]

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

As set out in the Government’s ‘Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' the government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Ireland is committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In future, most of our energy needs will be met by renewable energy which will be the anchor of our energy security.

The sole consideration by this Government of Liquified Natural Gas facilities is in the context of energy security. The Government does not support the commercial import of LNG as the development of infrastructure for the commercial import of LNG would be inconsistent with the decarbonisation trajectory established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, as amended.

The Government policy in relation to energy security is set out in 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report which was approved and published in November 2023. The report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections. However, Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our sub-sea gas imports pipelines and does not currently meet minimum EU standards in this area.

It is in this context only that a state-led Liquified Gas Facility was recommended in the Report.

A state-led strategic gas emergency reserve, operating on a non-commercial basis for use only in the event of an emergency, would provide resilience to the gas system and mitigate against the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise from a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.

As a final element of the energy security review, Gas Networks Ireland are undertaking a detailed analysis of the strategic gas emergency reserve.

In parallel my Department are developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure the facility provides the resilience to our energy system in a manner that:

• does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market;
• is compatible with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and
• does not support the Importation of Fracked Gas (www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=)

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to ensure that the development of offshore energy is not located in areas that will force the displacement of existing livelihoods, particularly fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41418/24]

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

In 2021, Ireland established its first national maritime spatial plan, known as the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), and legislated to positively change the management of our seas and oceans through enactment of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act. The MAP Act further created the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) to manage and regulate sustainable activities within our seas and oceans.

The deployment of offshore renewable energy (ORE) is critical towards meeting Ireland’s renewable energy and legally binding objectives. This includes achieving a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of this decade and a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. Accordingly, Government has established ambitious targets for the deployment of ORE, which are installed capacities of 5 gigawatts by 2030, 20 gigawatts by 2040 and 37 gigawatts by 2050.

The development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland is taking place within the overarching legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks provided by the MAP Act and the NMPF. The NMPF includes robust overarching Marine Planning Policies that apply to all marine activities or developments. Of particular note is the policy on co-existence. Co-existence is where multiple developments, activities or uses exist together or close to each other in the same area and / or at the same time. To manage available space effectively and to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of access to it, there is a requirement for proposals to consider co-existence of activities and minimise adverse impact where possible. This will enable activities such as fisheries, to continue and / or grow, minimise conflict, and meet local, regional and national policy aims including economic. For example, during the development of the draft South Coast DMAP, a Community Liaison Officer and a Fisheries Liaison Officer were appointed and remain in situ, to ensure those working and living in and near the area of the DMAP, are consulted with on an ongoing and meaningful way to minimise impact and maximise opportunities that will come from the development of offshore renewables in this area. This was in addition to direct and ongoing consultation by my Department with those living and working in this area, including, and with a particular emphasis on, those working in the seafood industry.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

81. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Government's position and policy in respect of liquefied natural gas (LNG) proposals, and the remarks of a judge (details supplied) about not being convinced that the Government has a clear policy against LNG terminals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41442/24]

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

As set out in the Government’s ‘Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' the government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Ireland is committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In future, most of our energy needs will be met by renewable energy which will be the anchor of our energy security.

The sole consideration by this Government of Liquified Natural Gas facilities is in the context of energy security. The Government does not support the commercial import of LNG as the development of infrastructure for the commercial import of LNG would be inconsistent with the decarbonisation trajectory established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, as amended.

The Government policy in relation to energy security is set out in 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report which was approved and published in November 2023. The report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections. However, Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our sub-sea gas imports pipelines and does not currently meet minimum EU standards in this area.

It is in this context only that a state-led Liquified Gas Facility was recommended in the Report.

A state-led strategic gas emergency reserve, operating on a non-commercial basis for use only in the event of an emergency, would provide resilience to the gas system and mitigate against the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise from a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.

As a final element of the energy security review, Gas Networks Ireland are undertaking a detailed analysis of the strategic gas emergency reserve.

In parallel my Department are developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure the facility provides the resilience to our energy system in a manner that:

• does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market;
• is compatible with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and
• does not support the Importation of Fracked Gas .