Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
137. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve Bill 2025 will be introduced to the Dáil at first stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44872/26]
View answerIn March 2025, I received Government approval to develop a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a strategic gas reserve is critical to Ireland's energy security as we transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulations.
The State-led, transitional nature of the reserve ensures that the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets is mitigated, that the reserve will be used for emergency use only, and that it does not support increased gas demand with a view to minimising impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. Government remains committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and has greatly boosted the share of renewables in our increasingly electrified energy system. This, however, means greater reliance on gas to provide sufficient flexibility and backup for secure electricity supplies at times of low renewable output.
In line with the Programme for Government priority, the approval to proceed with the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve commits to exploring all opportunities to expedite delivery of the project. The Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve Bill provides for an expedited consenting pathway to allow the next stage of delivery of the project. The Bill is currently being finalised, having completed pre-legislative scrutiny in February 2026, with a view to being completed during the summer term if possible. It is my intention to seek Government approval this month to publish the text of the Bill and to present the Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
The general scheme of the legislation underpinning the operation of the strategic gas emergency reserve will be brought forward later this year.
