Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
198. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider withdrawing Ireland from the Energy Charter Treaty, noting that Italy has already withdrawn and Poland, Spain and the Netherlands recently announced that they will be withdrawing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53447/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on Ireland’s position on the energy charter treaty, in view of the conclusion of the government of the Netherlands that it is incompatible with the Paris Agreement. [53570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 200 together. 198 and 200 0 togetherIreland's current position remains to maintain its membership of the Energy Charter Treaty in the context of supporting the Agreement in Principle on the modernisation process to align the Treaty with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the environmental concerns integral to it while having regard to the benefits to international energy security that it may provide, particularly at a time when energy security has been threatened. Ireland therefore awaits the outcome of the final stages of the modernisation process towards adoption at the Energy Charter Conference in November, while reserving the option to support a co-ordinated withdrawal from the ECT should this effort fail and if considered appropriate by Government to achieve our national renewable energy and climate ambitions.
