Communications Committee Future to focus on future exploration, energy supply and energy security

Chair of the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment Hildegarde Naughton TD said: “Energy supply and energy security is a key challenge facing Ireland today. Ireland is highly dependent on imported oil and gas - our oil dependency was the fourth highest in the EU in 2013, at 49% of all energy use, according to a report on energy security in Ireland by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. All of Ireland’s oil is imported. In 2014, 96% of natural gas used in Ireland was imported compared to an EU average of 65%.

Diversifying the fuel mix, particularly deriving energy from domestically-produced, sustainable, renewable resources, enhances energy security. Tomorrow we will examine the issue in greater detail with Tim Gould, senior energy analyst at the International Energy Agency, the international energy forum comprised of 29 industrialized countries under the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation which has four main areas of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide. It is an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing policy-makers as Ireland transitions to a low-carbon economy, reducing its demand for imported fossil fuels and promotes the use of renewable energy.”

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 from 12.00pm. You can watch committee proceedings here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.