Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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200. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he still plans to bring a memo to Cabinet recommending an LNG facility for Ireland given that the consultancy firm which originally recommended a facility is now reviewing its findings; when he expects the latest analysis to be complete; when it will be publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9000/25]

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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201. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether the importing of liquified natural gas is consistent with the Programme for Government commitment to take decisive action to radically reduce Ireland's reliance on fossil fuels; if he will ban the importation of liquified natural gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9001/25]

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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202. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the Gas Networks Ireland report, as commissioned by his predecessor, that outlines the challenges and risks of bringing a floating storage regasification unit into Ireland, will be released for public consultation. [9004/25]

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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203. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment how frequently the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in any proposed State-led floating storage and regasification (FSRU) unit will need to be replenished, given the inevitable boil-off of LNG over time; if he will provide clarity on the countries this gas will be sourced from; the measures taken to ensure an FSRU is compliant with section 15(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9005/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the final element of the energy security review (details supplied); when the conclusions of the review will be published; the appropriate policy and legislative measures that have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9007/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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206. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the analysis on alternatives to a strategic gas reverse facility (details supplied); when this work will be published; if there will be a consultation on its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9032/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201, 202, 203, 204 and 206 together.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050.

The Programme for Government commits to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 and to take all necessary action to ensure and protect Ireland’s energy security.

It is through delivering on this commitment that a secure and sustainable energy future will be delivered.

This week I received Government approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulation.

The emergency reserve will be in the form of a Floating Storage and Regassification Unit (FSRU), to be owned on behalf of the State by the system operator, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI). This is a similar approach to that used for oil security by the National Oil Reserves Agency.

In identifying this as the optimal approach, my Department has built upon the extensive review of security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems which was approved by Government in the ‘Energy Security in Ireland to 2030’ plan in November 2023. The plan sets out Ireland’s ambition to transform our energy system and support our climate objectives. The plan includes 28 actions, under the pillars of sustainability, affordability and security. Under Action 17 of that plan, GNI was tasked with reviewing and recommending the optimal approach to deliver the strategic gas emergency reserve.

The development of a State-led reserve in the form of an FSRU is consistent with Ireland’s climate law. It is a transitional measure, reducing the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets, for emergency use only, and does not support increased gas demand.

The approval of the State-led strategic reserve concludes the Energy Security review and related reports will be considered for future publication.