Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
118. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the level of engagement his Department has had with fuel suppliers into Ireland given the ongoing war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26169/26]
View answer142. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department is monitoring the supply of fuel into Ireland given the ongoing war; the guarantees in place for the coming months should it continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26170/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 142 together.
The situation in the Middle East clearly remains volatile and highly uncertain. Against this backdrop, it is imperative that Government remains informed of the evolving situation as it pertains to fuel suppliers.
In this regard, my Department has established the Oil Security of Supply Group. The Group is chaired by my Department and membership includes the Department of Transport, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA), Fuels for Ireland and industry representatives. At the most recent weekly meeting on 7 April, the industry representatives confirmed that Ireland’s fuel supply chains remain robust and reliable.
In terms of oil stocks more generally, NORA has operational responsibility for the day-to-day management of the State’s Strategic Oil Reserve of 85 days of oil stocks. Stock may be released from Ireland’s stockholding in the event of a shortage of refined product on the domestic market, or as recently happened to participate in an International Energy Agency collective action, to alleviate a global oil shortage.
In addition, the NORA Emergency Release Model analyses the status of the oil market in Ireland during a period of oil supply disruption. The model is used to gather and collate data supplied by oil companies in order to assess whether a supply shortage is emerging and aid a decision for the Minister, in conjunction with NORA, on whether a release of strategic reserves is required to address such a shortage.
