I welcome the Bill. It is legislation that we debated at length at the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy. As a member of the committee, I can say that we had open and frank encagement. Objectively, our goals are to be independent, secure and affordable and to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels but we also need to ensure that we have a backup policy in place. I listened to some of the criticism about other projects taking too long to deliver and that we talk about them too much. On the other hand, we now want to talk about them further. There was pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill. It was to a shorter timeframe but we must highlight and emphasise that this is an emergency, this is a temporary measure and we need to ensure its delivery. Fundamentally, there is a responsibility on the State to ensure that we have security around our energy and that is the objective here, while also being cognisant of our client obligations. This Bill came about as part of 17 actions highlighted by the Department's 2023 strategy, Energy Security in Ireland to 2030. I recently attended an EirGrid strategy launch where its representatives said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, demand was not peaking and we did not have the same level of economic activity that would result in spikes. However, since we have exited the pandemic, there is that additional demand and additional focus required to ensure investment. Considering current global volatility and international conflicts, how they weaponise energy supplies and how fragile global markets can be, we must have our own independence. In that context, it is unacceptable not to act when we can see clearly where our vulnerabilities lie. To that end, I support the Bill and the intentions behind it. This is an insurance policy for the State. We also have a temporary energy generation facility at Shannonbridge in my constituency to ensure that we do not see mass blackouts. We must be fair and open to the public at large that we need that backup plan and energy security. We need a contingency in place to plan for the worst. In terms of independence, we are going in completely the opposite direction when we talk about interconnectors. We cannot depend solely on our neighbours for our energy supply. We must have independence. That is another reason it is so important that we ensure this Bill proceeds. To be fair to the debate at the committee, one of the items we debated comprehensively in terms of the provisions in the Bill was how we would allow development or operation by a commercial operator. Those concerns have been listened to, despite the shorter timeframe for pre-legislative scrutiny. Only public bodies will be prescribed by the Minister in relation to this operation. If this is truly to be a strategic reserve, we need to prepare for the worst-case scenario and it must stay within the confines of State control as a result. We are seeing growing demand and growing economic activity and we need to ensure we proceed with this strategic gas emergency reserve in the form of the floating storage and regasification unit in Clare. It must be strictly an emergency reserve. It cannot become a backdoor for new commercial fossil fuel infrastructure, nor can it lead to an overall increase in our national gas consumption. Our focus on the development of renewables must be steadfast. County Offaly has been to the fore. I hear other speakers here say we need to do more on renewables. Why do they not go back to look at their county development plans and outline more spatial areas for renewable development? That is what we did in Offaly and we have been successful with 30% of our landmass in the county. We are one of the highest producers of energy in the country. Rather than looking at national Government, Deputies should have a discussion at local government level to see how county development plans can be prepared and devised. I cast my mind back to the national broadband plan and some of the commentary of the Opposition about that plan facing catastrophic failure and it being reckless to proceed with it. It is the same song with a different tune today. We need this. We need to ensure we remain competitive, that we see digital and tech advancements and that we keep our position on the global stage in attracting employment and making sure this is a good place to invest, work and live. This is not a decision of either-or when it comes to large energy users or homes. It has to be that they work concurrently and for the right reasons. We cannot pause this. We have to proceed with it. It is an important Bill. It sends the right message that Ireland is working towards renewables, but is also working towards energy security. I commend the Minister of State on bringing the Bill to the House and look forward to seeing it pass.

Sentiment score: 0.19