Darragh O'Brien
Dublin Fingal East · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The appropriate next time to do that is once the ANCA decision is finalised and the public consultation is concluded, which will be on 3 September. Obviously, there will be a period required after that when the submissions to ANCA will be looked at. That is where the consultation is. That will happen over the coming months.”
“I have already mentioned the more than 3 million passengers who flew through Cork Airport and the growth of Shannon Airport, which has just had its best half a year and which now has over 40 routes. However, a small number of people are impacted and they need to be listened to.”
“Others did not want it at all. I think Shane Ross was Minister for transport at the time. That has been done. That is in place. This decision will be made. I do not have a timeframe. Hopefully it will be soon after the submissions from the public on the draft noise decision is made. That would feed into both.”
“An Investec report published in, I believe, 2022 said that to maintain the cap at 32 million between now and 2030 would jeopardise up to about 19,000 jobs. That is the reality of it. I support the workers in the airport. I am from the community myself. The airport has to grow in a sustainable way.”
“I have also made it clear that even though, and this is a fact, international aviation emissions are outside the scope of the climate action plan, we are taking actions aligned with the global approach to decarbonisation of the aviation industry, which is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization's basket of measures to ensur…”
“I have already highlighted the planning decision on the DAA’s infrastructure application. We discussed that at some length over the course of the last nearly two hours. That application seeks to raise the passenger cap to 40 million and provide for much-needed additional infrastructure at Dublin Airport.”
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“The plan includes 28 actions under the pillars of sustainability, affordability and security. Under action 17 of the plan, GNI was tasked with reviewing and recommending the optimal approach. The extensive body of work that culminated in the publication of the energy security package has been complemented by the GNI report. A number of emergency exercises were carried out, and an updated projection regarding the compliance with EU N-1 infrastructure standard taking into account the most up-to-date data. The strategic gas emergency reserve is a transitional measure that supports a secure transition of our energy system, and the policy decision taken by Government ensures that the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets is reduced. The reserve will be used for emergency only and does not support increased gas demand.”
“That emergency reserve will be in the form of the FSRU, to be owned by the State through our system operator, Gas Networks Ireland, with an approach similar to that in respect of the National Oil Reserves Agency. In identifying this as the optimal approach, my Department has built upon an extensive review of security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems which was approved by Government in the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 plan published in November 2023. I am sure that is available to the Deputy as well. This plan includes a range of external reviews and analyses that considered all potential options and impacts from a security and sustainability perspective. The energy security package set out Ireland’s ambition to transform our energy system and support our climate objectives.”
“The decision on the FSRU is consistent with our climate action plan and, by the way, with our EU obligations. Our commitment to Ireland's electricity generation from renewable sources is firm. We want to accelerate the delivery of that, and it is through delivery on this commitment that a secure and sustainable energy future will be delivered. As the Deputy knows, I recently received Government approval for the State-led, State-owned, State-managed strategic gas emergency reserve. That delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to our energy security as we continue the transition to indigenous clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulation.”
“Well done, that is great. I hope the Deputy was working with colleagues in a constructive manner this morning, as one would expect. I thank him for the question. I know he has a certain view on this. I mentioned to colleagues earlier that we could not ignore the advice we have received with regard to our own energy security, and the FSRU is needed. I am going to be publishing the CEPA analysis in the coming weeks. I have made an offer to Deputies Daly, Whitmore, Heneghan and anyone else who is interested and wants to look at the independent analysis around this. I will be publishing it and I have also offered to hold a briefing for Members. We are committed to our climate targets. I want to be very clear on that, but also within our climate action plan is energy stability and security.”
“The focus has to be on renewables and the offshore renewable sector will be a game changer for this country for decades. I want to secure our own energy, give us an opportunity to grow our economy and our society and potentially become an energy exporter. We are not 100 years away from that at all. We are looking at having the first of the offshore renewable wind farms up and running, potentially by the end of the decade or certainly by the early 2030s, with many more coming on stream after that.”
“The State is investing tens of millions in this sector right now. We have put the legislative infrastructure in place. That was done in the previous Dáil. I had the honour of bringing forward the Maritime Area Planning Act, which was passed in this House, although it was not supported by everyone. It saw the establishment of MARA. I will meet representatives of MARA next Wednesday to discuss how we can streamline our consenting process. Next week, I will be bringing to Cabinet the Climate Action Plan 2025, which was delayed simply because of the general election. That will be brought forward and published. It outlines what we are doing this year. I am also working on an energy and climate strategy and have the full support of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in regard to the acceleration of our green transition.”
“It will require significant investment by the State in our infrastructure. I am visiting the Port of Cork, coincidentally, on Monday and I have been in Shannon Foynes as well. The latter's master plan is completed. We need to get the port infrastructure in place. Cork port is done and I commend it on the work it has done. Planning is well advanced in Shannon Foynes and in ports on the east coast.”
“The future is renewables and particularly offshore renewables. We have six projects off the east coast in planning, as the Deputy knows. We have our first DMAP through, which is in the south east. I will be bringing forward proposals to the Government in the coming weeks to accelerate the DMAP process. I have met stakeholders, including in the development sector, and will meet representatives of the Climate Change Advisory Council this afternoon. It is critical but we have a resource that we can use, unlike other countries that do not have the opportunity we have. Next week, I will be attending the switching-on of the interconnector. Our interconnectors with continental Europe are also critical. There is the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund and the review of the national development plan is under way.”
“If we look at the existing measures we are taking, there were emissions reductions last year of about 6.8% and about 2.2% in the previous year, while our economy was growing. We are also seeing a continued increase in renewables. We are certainly on the right pathway but I want to accelerate that. I will be having discussions with European colleagues around the framework for any potential fines. However, the EU, instead of just fining states, must look at ways to ensure that states invest further in their energy infrastructure, in measures to reduce emissions and in renewable energy. I agree with the central core of Deputy Heneghan's contribution.”
“Compliance options are provided for in the ESR framework, including the purchase of allowances from other member states that have over-performed on their own targets, but if we look at other EU member states and their projections out to 2030, I do not think there will necessarily be many of them, to be honest. The approach enables flexibility among member states to help achieve targets as efficiently as possible. To answer the Deputy's question directly, there is no framework for the fines. I have read the Economic and Social Research Institute reports and other independent reports on what the fines might be. At a European level, a discussion needs to happen about ensuring that states invest further, as Deputy Heneghan has rightly said. There is no framework at the moment that details what the structure of any fines will be.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta agus go n-éirí leis ina phost nua. As part of EU efforts to tackle climate change, Ireland has accepted specific emissions reductions targets for the period to 2030, set by the EU effort sharing regulation, ESR. These targets are also in line with domestic commitments in Irish law as set out in the climate Act 2021. Ireland can meet these targets by reducing emissions and through additional compliance but it is going to be very challenging. Let us be straight about that. We are going in the right direction but I am acutely aware that they are very exacting targets.”
“That is a very keen rate, and while it is not as keen as the rate in Denmark that Deputy Moynihan mentioned, some loans are actually below 3% and there will be a lot of competition in the sector. With the grant that is available, which is substantial, the low-interest loan and the payback for the homeowner through reduced energy bills and more efficiency, it is a very good proposition. I want to improve it further and I am assessing that right now.”
“Affordability is critical. If we look at it from a positive standpoint first, about 162,000 homes have been supported for energy upgrades and 55,000 of those are B2 upgrades. We have to look at B2 or B2 equivalents and where the house is going. To improve the energy and heating in a home, particularly in older homes, the cost of getting to B2 can be substantial, if not prohibitive. That is why the home energy upgrade loan scheme, which was launched last year, has been extended to seven credit union groups and there are two new lenders of that money, namely, An Post and Permanent TSB, as well as Bank of Ireland and AIB. Applicants can get a long-term loan of up to €75,000 at an average rate of 3%.”
“The waiting times are calculated from the very beginning of the application process to the completion of the works, whereas for the Croí Conaithe grant scheme, it is based on the application having come through the local authority and been processed and completed. I cannot control how long it takes a contractor to get out there. What we can do relates to the assessment, and I am looking at options in that regard. Private assessors and all of those types of things are on the table.”
“The warmer homes scheme is important because it focuses on lower incomes families. I am looking at this issue. For context, the average value of upgrades in 2015 was just €2,600. In 2024, the most recent year for which I have full annualised data, it was €27,700. Deeper upgrades mean more lower income homeowners can benefit to a greater extent from the scheme and the upgrades can tackle energy poverty by reducing their bills. Having said that, we need to look again at how we report those waiting times, particularly for the initial assessment. I am looking at this matter and have asked officials to look at it as well. There is a lead time to get a BER cert before an applicant can even get into the process.”
“This year, a record budget of €550 million of Exchequer funding has been allocated to the SEAI, which will support more than 64,500 home energy upgrades and build on the momentum seen in recent years. I have met representatives of the SEAI on three occasions, since I came in as Minister, to look at the grant schemes. I charged them with coming to me with an options paper, which I have just received. I will go through that in detail and meet them again in early May. The grant schemes are very good. They are having an impact, and I want to see if we can improve them further.”
“A range of measures has been introduced under the retrofit plan in recent years to support the achievement of the targets, such as enhanced SEAI grant schemes with simplified application processes and faster approvals, including a greater focus on heat pumps. As I have discussed with the Deputy, I am having another look at those grants. It is appropriate that I do so to see how to make them even more accessible and that I look at the structure of the grants and, in certain areas, the grant amounts to help us continue on this journey. Last year, the Government, through the SEAI, supported 54,000 home energy upgrades, an increase of 13% on the previous year.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht na ceiste a ardú ar an ábhar an-tábhachtach seo. I thank the Deputy for his question on this very important subject. As he knows, Ireland has one of the most ambitious home retrofit targets in the world. The national retrofit plan sets out how these targets will be met, including with an €8 billion financial allocation in the period to 2030. I met my British counterpart, Ed Miliband, recently in Liverpool. The British Government is struck by how advanced our retrofit programme is and by the funding we have put behind it in comparison with its own. Across Europe and in comparison with our nearest neighbour, the commitment we have to home retrofits is second to none.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“During those periods where variable renewable generation is largely not available, gas backup is expected to be used, especially when support from batteries and electricity demand side response is exhausted. On this basis a strategic gas emergency reserve in the form of the FSRU has been approved by Government to secure Ireland's energy systems as a transitionary measure. A strategic gas emergency reserve will provide the resilience highlighted in that report and will mitigate the consequences for society and economy of a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.”
“With regard to gas, however, the report determines that as a transitional measure we will examine the introduction of a strategic gas emergency reserve to address security needs in the medium term. It will be used only if a disruption to gas supplies occurs. Inability to meet peak gas demand during a cold spell would mean curtailing gas demand to balance the system. By 2030, our target is that 80% of our electricity is expected to be produced from renewables, meaning our overall gas demand is expected to decline. Having said that, the projections are peak gas demand will continue, or will not begin to decline, until about 2035. The electrification of the heat and transport sector will mean increased peak day electricity demand.”
“The Department engaged Cambridge Economic Policy Associates Limited to carry out an updated analysis of security of energy supply in Ireland covering the period beyond 2030 and up to 2040. This study builds on CEPA's technical analysis of the security of supply of Ireland's electricity and natural gas systems up to 2030, published in September 2022. That helped inform the review of Ireland's energy security review. In November 2023, the previous Government approved and published the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report. That is the report I referred to earlier in response to Deputy Daly. It concluded that Ireland's future energy will be secured by moving from a fossil fuel-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential and flexibility and being integrated into Europe's energy systems.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“A strategic gas emergency reserve will provide the resilience highlighted in that report and will mitigate the consequences for our society and economy of a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.”
“By 2030, our target is that 80% of our electricity is expected to be produced from renewables, meaning our overall gas demand is expected to decline. Having said that, the projections are peak gas demand will continue, or will not begin to decline, until about 2035. The electrification of the heat and transport sector will mean increased peak day electricity demand. During those periods where variable renewable generation is largely not available, gas backup is expected to be used, especially when support from batteries and electricity demand-side response is exhausted. On this basis a strategic gas emergency reserve in the form of the FSRU has been approved by Government to secure Ireland's energy systems as a transitionary measure.”
“I am interested to note the Deputy has confirmed the Labour Party is opposed to having a reserve. I take it the party is opposed to the oil reserve we have in this country already. We will continue to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels but we have to protect our energy infrastructure. If we had an event that disrupted the gas supply, be that from the Corrib gas field or Scotland, we would have maybe three days of normal energy supply. With regard to gas, however, the report determines that as a transitional measure we will examine the introduction of a strategic gas emergency reserve to address security needs in the medium term. It will be used only if a disruption to gas supplies occurs. Inability to meet peak gas demand during a cold spell would mean curtailing gas demand to balance the system.”
“We are absolutely committed to continuing the transition to renewable energy. We are making progress on that with onshore wind. We have created the infrastructure, which I set up in my previous Department under the marine planning Act and the creation of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. We have six planning applications in for offshore renewables. I will bring forward proposals to Government shortly regarding the acceleration of the designated maritime area plan, DMAP, process. Ireland's future is with green energy. It will be good for our economy, climate and people. In the meantime, we have to make sure we prepare for events we cannot foresee. When I received very clear advice in the 2030 energy risk report that our energy system is at risk and we do not have a strategic gas reserve, I had to act upon that.”
“I have set that statement aside. I believe that is the right thing to do because the legal advice received by my predecessor was that we could not make a distinction between types of gas. That legal advice was very clear but it was not acted upon. Such a distinction would have made the delivery of any type of strategic gas reserve incredibly difficult. The matter of any private entity making an application for anything in this country goes through the normal planning process. It will be assessed by An Bord Pleanála in line with our legislation. I will not be intervening.”
“I need to get clarification from the Deputy's own party on whether it supports the State-led strategic gas reserve. I am not sure where the Labour Party stands on that. All parties should support it because there is a risk to our country, society and economy if we do not build it. We have an oil reserve but we do not have a gas reserve and we need that. It will be State-led. On the other matters, such as the planning application the Deputy referred to, any application for fossil fuel infrastructure will be subject to planning, consenting and regulatory approvals by the relevant bodies and the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act. That is important. Those conditions will apply but the policy statement on the importation of fracked gas will no longer have to be considered. I have been clear on that.”
“I would be in dereliction of my duty if I ignored the advice we got about the risk to Ireland's electricity generation - and the risk to Ireland full stop - if we did not have a strategic gas reserve. The plant to which the Deputy referred, the proposed Shannon LNG terminal, is a privately owned, commercial proposal. The assessment of a planning application for this development is a matter for An Bord Pleanála. I will not be intervening.”
“This is a transitory measure, as identified in the energy security review to secure Ireland's energy systems in the medium term as we continue to transition, as detailed in our climate action plan, to indigenous, clean renewable energy. The mitigation measure will be complemented by other actions identified in the energy security review which focus on securing Ireland's future energy system in the long term by moving from an oil- and gas-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential, flexibility and integration into Europe's energy system. I fully stand over the decision we made on the State-led strategic gas reserve.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question. As outlined in the programme for Government, we committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and achieve a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030, while achieving net zero by no later than 2050. We have been making significant progress in that regard. We also committed to achieving 80% of Ireland's electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. It is important to use the opportunity to inform the House that by June this year, there will be no coal in our energy generation. There is no peat. We have been moving very quickly and approximately 33% of our energy is generated through renewables in an average year. We want to increase that. As the Deputy said, I recently sought approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve.”
“The heat policy statement is important and will guide us in this area. To inform the House as to where that is, I have a draft statement, which has been informed by the findings of the national heat study prepared by my Department. We have had consultations with other State agencies and Departments. A strategic environmental assessment, SEA, has been completed and a public consultation on the SEA report and draft heat policy statement will now be undertaken. I expect that to be done in the coming weeks. That will go out to public consultation and inform how we move forward. I thank the Deputy for his question.”
“The local authorities are doing a good job retrofitting social housing stock. I had experience of that in my previous portfolio. We have an exacting target of retrofitting 500,000 homes by 2030. At the last count, the figure stood at approximately 165,000 across the country, both public and private. However, there is work to do be done. To answer the Deputy's question on the grant offering, I have asked the SEAI to come back to me with options on that. I want to conclude that before the summer but I am not going to rush into it either. There are areas of the grants that are working very well but I want to make them more accessible. We have also expanded the energy retrofit loan scheme, as the Deputy will have noticed. If that is available, the interest rate is generally around 3% or less.”
“I will be straight with the Deputy: we are way off that at the moment and that is why I have got to consider all our targets, particularly for renewables. In some areas, such as SPV, we are doing very well. I take the point on deep retrofitting and its cost but I am right now carrying out an assessment with the SEAI on the grants currently available and how we might be able to alter them and make them more accessible for people, particularly in this area.”
“I am considering all options. There is a new Administration and new Minister. I can see where we have done very well in retrofitting. I have already said very clearly that heat pumps represent the optimal solution but not the only one. We have got to carry out a very detailed assessment of the supply of biofuels, including biofuels used in transportation. If we are to accelerate their use across residential dwellings, what level of supply can we actually achieve at this stage? The RHO will be very important. It will be a mechanism to really accelerate the use of alternative fuels. We have an objective within the RHO to support the delivery of our commitment to producing 5.7 TW of indigenous biomethane by 2030.”
“My Department is also working on the introduction of a renewable heat obligation, RHO, for the heat sector, which will stimulate demand and increase the use of renewable fuels by obligating suppliers of fossil fuels used for heat to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is from renewable sources. The work on the RHO is urgent and I want to bring it to a conclusion as quickly as possible. There will be a cost related to it but the introduction of the RHO is critical in supporting exactly what the Deputy has asked for today, namely the use of alternatives to heat pumps.”
“The recommendation of the heat study is that heat pumps represent the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems and decarbonising buildings, with district heating also an option that can be widely deployed. I really want to see district heating accelerated because we have been slow on it, and that is being kind. The national heat study has recognised the potential role of sustainable bioenergy for buildings that require alternative routes to decarbonisation, and that is being considered as part of a suite of measures to decarbonise heating.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as a cheist. The national heat study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, contains a detailed analysis that is being used by my Department to inform the development of policies and measures to decarbonise Ireland's heating and cooling sectors by 2050. I assure the Deputy that the study considered several potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of homes and, indeed, business premises. This included the use of liquid biofuels such as HVO, solid biomass, biogas and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks. I am acutely aware that heat pumps are not the only solution. The roll-out of heat pumps to new dwellings is very welcome but, certainly in respect of retrofitting, there are challenges. Therefore, we must consider all options.”
“As I said, we will correspond further with Senators regarding the items that have already been looked at and where we would see significant legal difficulties with the legislation as currently constructed.”
“They have looked through it from the previous Oireachtas to now. I can certainly ensure the sponsoring Senators and the authors of the legislation could meet with officials in that regard as well. We can correspond with them and highlight where those points are. I thank the Senators for their contributions so far. I am sorry to interject; I know there are other Senators who wish to speak. The reason I wanted to speak is that the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is coming in at 6.30 p.m. for the remainder of the debate. I could only attend for the first hour. That is why I wanted to make my remarks and put them on the floor of the House.”
“Where allegations are made, in whatever publications or if Senators have specific information with regard to flights that landed in Ireland and were transporting munitions, they should be brought forward. Allegations that have been already made in the media are being actively investigated. Where I want to be clear with Senators as well is that the Bill as it is currently constructed would not be, in my view, fit to be passed. It would not, as it is right now, be something we could permit to go forward any further. We have to look at the regime that would have to support the new regulations or the new law that is put in place. There are other items I will get officials to engage with Senators on regarding where there might be some perceived legal contradictions. That is not a criticism.”
“The Bill, as currently constructed, will not be opposed by the Government procedurally on Committee Stage. The Senators have authored the Bill. I understand the motivation behind it but I think it would be next to near impossible to be able to enforce the legal provisions the Senators would be asking of the State. We also have to be honest as to what level of this existing framework really is the level of munitions coming through Ireland that we could inspect, or dual-use items, as the Senators mentioned. We have an existing legal regime. That needs to be used to its fullest and our current legislation does provide for the inspection of civil aircraft where there is an appearance or a likelihood that it will depart Ireland and contravene Irish law. We have strong provisions in place.”
“The exemptions granted by the Department of Transport relate to access to Irish sovereign territory and do not relate to the final destination of the cargo or its ultimate end user as it is currently constructed. With regard to inspections of aircraft, there is an onerous regime being put forward. You have to look at the resourcing of any regime such as that. We do have the ability to do that within existing legislative provisions. That has not been invoked. It has not been necessary to invoke that heretofore but the legal framework exists in this country for that very thing to happen should we believe it needs to happen. There is a reality as well, however, that when you look at the exemptions that have been sought, the vast majority of them, generally speaking, are in the two categories I have outlined to the House.”