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For Written Answer on : 26/04/2022
Question Number(s): 327 Question Reference(s): 21164/22
Department: Environment, Climate and Communications
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION


[Ref No.: 21164/22]

*  To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to explore proposals for the installation of a floating storage and regasification liquified natural gas terminal in the Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.


*    For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 26th April, 2022.

(2271  Received on 20th April, 2022.)

REPLY


The National Energy Security Framework, published in April 2022, is a response to the challenges of ensuring the ongoing and long-term security of affordable energy supply. The Framework provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability.

The development of this Framework has taken account of the need to decarbonise our society and economy as set out in recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Ireland’s targets to reduce emissions by 51% over the decade to 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050 as set out in the Climate Action Plan. The Framework sets out the Government’s action in response to these issues across key themes:


– managing the impact on consumers and businesses;
– ensuring security of energy supply in the near-term; and
– reducing our dependency on imported fossil fuels.

In respect of LNG in Ireland, including floating storage and regasification, the Government Policy Statement on importing fracked gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems that is currently being carried out by my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with.   

It is planned to complete the review in the coming months and the results will be submitted to Government.