Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
21. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to confirm his engagements with the European Commission to recognise Ireland as part of the EU interconnected gas grid to enable imports of sustainable renewable gases with third countries including the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44566/26]
View answerIn December 2025, formal notification of Ireland’s intention to introduce a domestic product multiplier under the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) was made via the online Technical Regulations Information System.
This notification was made following active engagement with the European Commission to ensure no discriminatory practices, or fragmentation of the EU Single Market.
On 30 March 2026, the European Commission responded to this notification, submitting a detailed opinion outlining their views in relation to the inclusion of an additional certificate for domestic biomethane surrendered under the RHO Scheme.
In addition to these views, the European Commission also supplied commentary in relation to the accounting of pipeline supplied biomethane and adherence to the conditions in the Union Data Base.
Following receipt of this opinion, my officials have met with the European Commission to discuss the issue of Ireland’s connectivity by pipeline to mainland Europe. Ireland currently operates, and intends to maintain, a mass-balancing system to track the trade of imported biomethane and ensure compliance with the framework established by the Renewable Energy Directive and Implementing Regulation 2022/996.
Given Ireland’s unique geographic and infrastructural position, my officials continue to actively engage with the European Commission on this matter and I am confident that this will be resolved ahead of the introduction of the RHO Bill, ensuring Ireland maintains access to compliance and market mechanisms available to other Member States, namely access to the use of imported sustainable renewable fuels.
Introduction of the RHO remains a key objective for me, and priority drafting of the RHO Bill 2025 is nearing completion with the intention to submit to Government for approval and priority publication as part of the summer legislative programme.
As a newly emerging market, it has been well documented that the Irish biomethane sector will require support to stimulate early growth in the industry. Funding of up to €200m for a second round of capital grant support has been secured through the Infrastructure, Nature and Climate Fund process, and my Department is now in the initial stages of putting the scheme in place, which will be available to support the sector from late 2026.
