Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
175. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the National Oil Reserves Agency plans to increase stock levels within Ireland’s strategic oil reserves in the event of a worsening international energy crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27873/26]
View answerThe National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) has operational responsibility for the day-to-day management of the State’s Strategic Oil Reserve of 85 days of oil stocks. NORA stores petrol, diesel and kerosene, and does not maintain physical stocks of biofuels, fuel oil or crude oil. NORA’s oil is stored in various port locations throughout the island of Ireland, with the balance held in a small number of EU Member States. The locations at which NORA’s oil is stored are monitored under tight security in accordance with normal industry standards.
As the Deputy may be aware, member countries of the IEA have agreed to initiate an action to release Strategic Oil Reserves to address the supply issues that are emerging on foot of the conflict in the Middle East. Ireland's contribution to an IEA 400-million-barrel release is approximately 1.6 million barrels. That level of contribution equates to approximately 10.5 days of supply.
NORA has no plans to increase its stock levels at this point in time. To do so would undermine the recent IEA co-ordinated stock release. This situation will be kept under review, as appropriate.
