2025-04-10

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]

It was quite noisy. My understanding, and this has been reported in the media, is the CEPA report offers an alternative view to the previous analysis done on energy security. It really is important because I understand the CEPA report says that by the time we get any emergency or transition measure in place, it will be very costly, but also there will not be a need for it at that stage. We could spend ten years and I believe €300 million putting in place infrastructure that will not be needed by then from a security perspective but which will lock us into a fossil fuel future none of us wants and which, from a statutory perspective, we must avoid at all costs. It is interesting when the Minister talks about this "emergency" infrastructure. This is not the best language to use because it paints a very different picture of this reserve than what would happen in reality.

To answer the Deputy's question directly at the start, the analysis conducted by CEPA is under review in the Department now and I must review that. However, I can confirm the study finds Ireland will not meet the N-1 infrastructure standard for gas during the 2030s. The report finds the addition of an FSRU will allow Ireland to meet that standard and I will publish that in the coming weeks. I do not have a definitive date as I have got to review it, but it will be well in advance of summer. It is important all Deputies, regardless of people's view on this, get an opportunity to see that independent advice. While there is a significant capital spend when we proceed with the purchase of the floating terminal, once we are no longer using it we can sell it off. The port infrastructure will be used for other things so it is an investment in our country rather than a one-off spend. There will be annual management costs to this as well and it will be managed, operated and run by GNI.

On the terminology of this being emergency infrastructure, I understand that every two months, because of the very nature of LNG, the gas will have to be distributed through the pipeline-----

Yes.

-----so we are essentially just replacing the majority of the gas we are using at the moment with this system even though we are calling it temporary and saying it will only be used in case of disruption. To compare it to the oil reserve is incorrect because that does not have to be used every two months. We do not have to get rid of it out of the system and ensure everyone uses it as it just sits there. That is where the complication comes in as well. We sort of have two processes here. We have the potential for State-led LNG, which will come down to that analysis and there is discussion about whether we need it or not. There is also how the Government has not ensured that, under planning law, An Bord Pleanála cannot grant any commercial LNG facilities. These are two very separate things. When the High Court directed An Bord Pleanála to reconsider that LNG planning permission it said the policy documents were not strong enough. Is there going to be a very solid indication from Government that we will not facilitate any commercial LNG or any commercial LNG operator and at the same time perhaps looking at this temporary measure that is to be State-owned?

The Deputy is aware of this, but I restate An Bord Pleanála is independent of Government. Applications are made. The potential development she refers to is a matter that has been before the courts and has been with An Bord Pleanála. I am not going to comment further other than to say Government will not intervene in that instance. It would not be appropriate for us to do so. Our focus is on the FSRU, which will be State-led and State-run. As to how that operates, gas is used every couple of months, but it is not going to be used for additional energy generation. It will be used instead of other gas. That is just how the mechanism and process works. It will not produce any additional energy. It will not increase our reliance on gas, but we need that reserve in case there is a disruption. Disruption to the connection with Britain via Scotland would cause incredible difficulties for this country, our society and our economy and I cannot ignore the advices there. I fully stand over the decision Government has made and will publish the CEPA report.

And put it online.