Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

200. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Government's policy statement on the importation of fracked gas; if the Government still maintains this policy; if not, the reason this policy has changed; if any climate impact assessment has been undertaken on changing this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13787/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

The Programme for Government set out the 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.

The commitment to a secure energy future builds upon the 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report, approved by Government in November 2023. The report includes 28 actions and is defined by three policy objectives: sustainability, affordability, and security.

Action 17 of the Plan is the development of a state-led strategic gas reserve. On 4 March this year, Government approved the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve, in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, for use in the event of an interruption to gas supplies.

The 2021 'Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' notes that the statement will remain in place pending the completion of the review of Ireland’s energy security. The approval of this Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve marks that completion. The Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas no longer remains in place.

Any application for fossil fuel infrastructure in Ireland will be subject to the planning, consenting and regulatory approvals by relevant bodies and the provision of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 will apply.