2. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he intends to introduce the strategic gas emergency reserve Bill 2025 to the Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44871/26]

Sentiment score: -0.03

When does the Minister intend to introduce the strategic gas emergency reserve Bill to the Dáil? Will he give us an update on the progress of the Bill?

Sentiment score: 0.02

I thank the Minister for the update. As he knows, we had pre-legislative scrutiny at the committee and concerns were raised at that point. I want to refer to an article written by the previous Minister for the environment, Eamon Ryan, shortly after the start of this Dáil term when he was no longer a Member of the Oireachtas or a Minister. He was very clear that we do not require a floating LNG facility. As a former Minister, he was aware of the many details, discussions and reports that went through the Department, on which the Minister is also relying. He outlined a number of ways we could still secure our energy supply without relying on this LNG facility. I wish he had realised this when he first brought the plan forward. The strategic LNG facility was his proposal at the very start. I wish this work had been done at that point. However, it is important to be cognisant of what he has said. Has the Minister looked at his recommendations? This area moves quickly and technology moves quickly. It is an opportune time to review the policy.

Sentiment score: 0.20

I think everybody agrees that we are an energy insecure country and that we do rely on external actors. That is very clear from the different energy shocks we have experienced in recent years. It is important that we shore up our energy security. The question is whether we require a strategic LNG facility to do it or if there is an alternative way to provide that energy security. The former Minister, Eamon Ryan, based on the advice he received from the Department previously, is of the opinion that there is an alternative way to do that and this would be by using alternative fuels, battery storage and interconnector systems to provide energy security in the event that there were some catastrophic interruption to the gas pipelines coming into Ireland. That is a very unlikely event but it is a high-risk one. What came of the committee meeting was that the Government has not really looked at those alternatives. I ask the Minister to consider those alternatives.

Sentiment score: 0.16