Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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212. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the evidentiary basis being used to pursue commercial liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in Ireland, to enhance energy security, given the Government-commissioned Centre for European Policy Analysis report from 2022 stated that commercial LNG would provide “...no guarantee that stored gas volumes would be sufficient to cover a security of supply shock” as commercial “storage stocks would be driven by market fundamentals” (details supplied). [9304/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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213. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a public consultation will be conducted in relation to any shift in policy towards supporting commercial liquefied natural gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9305/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, this 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.

In the Programme for Government we also set out our commitment 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 we will deliver a secure and sustainable energy future.

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).

It is not a commercial liquified gas facility. It is a state-led emergency reserve.

This is a similar approach to that used for oil security by the National Oil Reserves Agency.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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214. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a high-level outline of the proposed amended functions of Gas Networks Ireland and new regulatory framework being sought in the upcoming Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9306/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As a final part of the review of Ireland’s energy security, my Department, in consultation with Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) are in the process of completing a detailed examination to introduce a reserve in line with criteria and requirements determined by the Department which included:

• A proposal which can be implemented quickly
• A proposal which does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market
• A cost-effective proposal at the appropriate scale which provides sufficient resilience if a disruption to gas supply occurs
• A proposal which is compatible with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015-2021
• A proposal which ensures Ireland’s compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 N-1 infrastructureL