I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
Natural gas currently provides over 30% of Ireland’s energy supply – heating and powering 700,000 homes and businesses and generating 50% of our electricity. While the level of natural gas used may reduce over the next decade, Ireland will continue to be dependent on natural gas as part of our energy mix in 2030.
The Programme for Government committed to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of natural gas in Ireland. It is not intended to revisit this commitment in the context of the factors noted by the Deputy or for any other reasons.
Currently over half of the natural gas we use is imported from the UK through the Moffat interconnection point in Scotland and two sub-sea interconnector pipelines, the vast majority of which comes from other European Countries with high standards of fossil fuel extraction and environmental management.
As set out in the Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan published in September, a disruption to the supply of natural gas as a consequence of Brexit is not anticipated. My Department has worked with key State bodies, including the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in Ireland and Gas Networks Ireland, to ensure that they have updated plans in place.
It is expected that the current rules for trading natural gas across interconnectors with the UK will remain the same. However, in the case of any future gas supply emergency disruption, the UK will no longer be legally bound by current EU law obligations. Ireland is continuing to work with our EU partners in the negotiations with the UK to ensure continued future cooperation on natural gas security of supply.
In relation to the news articles the Deputy has cited, the regulation of tariffs for use of the gas networks in the UK and Ireland is the responsibility of the independent energy regulators in their respective jurisdictions. In relation to tariff decisions made by the UK regulator, I would note that there is no suggestion of any restriction being placed on the trade of natural gas between the UK and Ireland.
Finally, I would note that my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. I expect that the review to be completed by the end of 2021.
