I appreciate the Deputy's question. Ireland engages with the US across a broad range of multilateral energy forums, from the United Nations and the G20, where Ireland is a guest country under the current South African Presidency, to the IEA and IRENA. While respecting different policy emphases regarding, for example, energy mix and the role of renewables in particular, we also enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship with United States colleagues on issues related to energy and beyond. In relation to gas specifically, my Department has had regular engagements on the topic of gas security of supply with various European and international ministries and embassies, including the US Embassy, where our officials discussed the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve, in the form of a floating storage and regasification unit to secure and protect Ireland’s energy systems from the consequences of any disruption to our subsea gas pipelines. This proactive intervention, once developed, will ensure that Ireland's largest commercial entities that rely on gas for production of pharmaceutical products, medical devices, IT, manufacturing, food and beverages will not experience a disruption to their energy supplies if damage to gas subsea pipelines occurs. The strategic reserve facility will be State-owned and the contract for replenishing with LNG will be through open-market procurement. There has been no request from, nor promise given to, the US with regard to a diminution of Ireland's application of EU standards with regard to, for example, environmental assessment of infrastructural projects. Nor has Ireland agreed to increase the amount of oil imported from the US. In fact, our overall reliance on oil is decreasing in line with our climate ambitions. Around 80% of Ireland’s gas supply comes from two interconnector pipelines from the UK, a well-diversified source, and the remaining 20% of natural gas is supplied from the Corrib gas field, off the coast of Mayo. Ireland currently has no other gas supply or entry points. In relation to energy infrastructure delivery more generally, over the last five years Ireland, along with other EU member states, has looked to support the acceleration of planning for, and delivery of, energy installations through legislation introduced to modernise both the terrestrial planning system and marine planning system. However, Ireland’s environmental assessment process has not been diluted and remains a robust process, and nor has there been a reduction in our ambitious climate goals and objectives.
Sentiment score: 0.34
The Government's intention on the installation of a facility like the floating LNG facility that is proposed is that it is being led by the State rather than a commercial entity. It is being done in a controlled manner that will, as I outlined in the earlier answer, allow us to protect a critical supply in the event of anything happening to the two interconnectors or indeed the subsea pipeline which connects the Corrib field. It is a protection system and will not increase the usage of gas. Those of us who believe in the transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner and renewable energy still recognise that gas will be that transition fuel for quite some time, recognising that the wind does not blow all the time and the sun does not shine all the time. Last Friday, I launched the Government's next wave of offshore wind energy proposals. We are starting the process of developing a designated marine plan around our coastline which will identify sites suitable for fixed-bottom and floating wind generation. That is our direction of travel and we are committed to that. As the Deputy knows, by 2030 we intend to have another 5 GW of electricity in construction and by 2040 an additional 15 GW. We are absolutely committed to renewables but we must accept that we must have protections in the event of anything happening to the supplies of gas that are already there.
Sentiment score: 0.24
In addition to our support for the renewable energy sector, particularly with wind and solar, we are also enhancing our support for biogas. The Deputy will know that the Government has a strategy on that. We will see seven or eight projects in the very near future coming into play for that biogas system through the anaerobic digestion system. We are absolutely committed to eliminating, insofar and as quickly as we possibly can, the dependence on fossil fuels to power our economy, while also recognising that our economy is growing with significant demands. We want to move away from using gas to generate electricity. We want to capture more of the renewable energy off our shoreline and utilise biogas as an appropriate means to further displace the importation of fossil fuels.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I thank Deputy Stanley. From previous Oireachtas terms, I know he has shown a great interest in this particular area and championed it over that time. In total, more than €29.2 million under the EU just transition fund has been allocated to projects that are fully or partially based in County Laois. Of this, almost €3.6 million has been approved for projects under way solely within County Laois, while more than €25.6 million has been approved for projects across several counties, including County Laois. I will provide the Deputy with the full breakdown of these allocations in tabular form, including details of the recipients, projects and amount of support allocated. That information will be provided to the Deputy in that format afterwards. The diverse range of projects being supported include Emo Court and Estate development, sustainable tourist accommodation in The Forum in Mountmellick, the development of Canal Road Business Park in Portarlington and the Poet's Cottage Community Café in Camross. All information on projects under the EU just transition fund is publicly available on the beneficiaries section of the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly website, the managing authority for the fund. We will provide the details to the Deputy in tabular form afterwards. The national just transition fund closed in December 2024 and disseminated no funds over the course of 2025. The Minister keeps the operation of the fund under review, including consideration of future calls.
Sentiment score: 0.25
I have an extensive list, which I can share with the Deputy. If there is a necessity to meet with some of his constituents about their concerns, I am happy to meet with them. This was a call-led approach, so it was dependent on projects being brought forward to seek funding. It was not as if the Government identified specific locations and sought to create a demand around that. The programme was in place and the calls went out for applications for funding, which were assessed against the criteria during the process. If the Deputy has concerns about specific areas, we will be happy to meet with him and attempt to work through them.
Sentiment score: 0.27
In fairness to the Deputy, he has always made those points. I appreciate his interest in this matter. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, launched a public consultation on the development of Ireland's social climate plan last Thursday. The plan will set out measures to be financed under the EU Social Climate Fund over the period 2026 to 2032. The EU Social Climate Fund is the first EU fund developed with the explicit purpose of alleviating potential energy and transport poverty occurring from the transition towards clean mobility and decarbonised built environment. There may be some opportunities arising from that fund for the Deputy to focus on. We are trying to ensure that the funds that are available meet the needs of those who were impacted to the greatest extent as a result of moving away from the harvesting of peat in the region. The Deputy has identified some areas. It is in the interests of the Government to work with those communities that are most affected to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible. That is a big statement, because no matter what was done, there was going to be a significant impact on those communities.
Sentiment score: 0.25
I recognise the efforts many communities have made to try to assist. Deputy Stanley should please share with us if there are other viable projects or assistance is required.
Sentiment score: 0.27