Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
175. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to detail his plans and timeframe to review Ireland’s energy security; the reports he has commissioned on the matter; the timeframe for their publication; the timeframe for a public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66272/25]
View answerThe Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report was published in November 2023 and outlines a strategy to ensure energy security in Ireland for this decade, while ensuring a sustainable transition to a carbon neutral energy system by 2050. Progress on the 28 actions outlined in Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 is overseen by the Energy Security Group (ESG) which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and attended by officials from relevant Government Departments and Agencies. Delivery of the Energy Security Package is progressing well, with 3 actions now complete and the remaining 25 underway and estimated to be on track.
At the end of 2024, my Department engaged the International Energy Agency (IEA) to undertake a further energy security study for Ireland in the context of recommendations in the McCarthy Review of Electricity Security of Supply, and the 2024 IEA policy Review of Ireland (IDR). The IEA’s analysis builds on the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report, and considers an extended timeframe out to 2035.
The study provides an independent technical assessment of the role of the power sector in achieving Ireland’s policy objectives of decarbonisation and energy security. It examines the emerging power system security challenges in the context of the energy transition and provides an authoritative independent assessment on the stability of the electricity system, and the wider role of the power sector in decarbonisation of transport, heating and industry.
As part of this assessment the IEA held workshops and bilateral meetings with key stakeholders across Government, industry and academia in Dublin on 25-26 February 2025. A peer review process was carried out in June 2025. My Department received the IEA’s final analysis and recommendations at the end of September 2025, which I have reviewed with officials from my Department. The report has been circulated across key Government Departments and has also been reviewed by the Energy Security Group (ESG).
This technical assessment by the IEA will serve as a starting point for a major programme of work in 2026 to consult on the role of the energy sector in delivering security, competitiveness and sustainability across Irish society into the 2030s. Discussions are ongoing with the IEA around timely publication of their analysis, which is expected by the end of the year.
