1. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the transition to renewable heat; if he has considered measures to increase the use of biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17836/25]

Sentiment score: 0.11

I ask the Minister for an update on renewable heat and whether he has considered measures to increase the use of biofuels because, when it comes to our transition to renewable heat, alarm bells should be ringing. No matter what way you look at it, Ireland has no hope of meeting its targets. For years, the Government has been acting as if heat pumps were the only show in town, but experience and the evidence have shown us the take-up has been extremely poor.

Sentiment score: -0.27

The Minister is probably aware that we have retrofitted only 12% of our BER B2 target for 2030 and 5% of the heat pump target. I acknowledge that the Minister stated heat pumps represent the optimal approach. For newer, efficient buildings, heat pumps are the obvious choice but the cost of making people's homes pump-ready makes an immediate switch impossible. Some 70,000 people rely on liquid fuels. One in three of them is over 65, and 59% of those with a liquid boiler live in rural Ireland. The current scheme will never be the answer for them, but biofuels are a good alternative. The Minister stated a proportion should be using biofuels. What proportion does he have in mind? The switch to biofuels can be much less disruptive for houses. It can be done in an afternoon rather than waiting for months. The price of upgrading a boiler could be as low as €300, by comparison with the cost of installing a heat pump in a property, which could be thousands upon thousands of euro. Despite the obvious advantage of biofuel, combined with the failings of the current scheme, it is frustrating that more emphasis has not been placed on biofuel. What measures are being taken and what is the proportion?

Sentiment score: -0.01

Does the Minister know when that assessment will be completed? The grants are clearly too low and will not suit people who do not have €50,000 to invest in their home. There are many people, particularly older people, who have been using some sort of liquid fuel to heat their houses for many years. They are not going to leave their homes for a few months, rent somewhere or stay with family because of the disruption. They will just keep going the way they are going. Speaking practically, what extra benefits or grants will the Government give? I was just checking with Kerry County Council, for example, and only 708 of its 4,500 social homes have a BER of A or B. That is moving frustratingly slow as well. If the county councils are not doing it, how do you expect anyone else to do it?

Sentiment score: 0.04

3. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on energy security; what the Government means when it refers to a "State-led" LNG facility; what "State-led" means in this context; if there will be a commercial element; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17837/25]

Sentiment score: 0.19