Departmental Correspondence

Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Ceisteanna (264, 265, 266, 267, 274, 275, 276, 277)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

264. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether representatives of an organisation (details supplied) have engaged with his Department regarding the Barryroe gas and oil field; whether any meetings have taken place or are planned; and his views on the matter, particularly in light of independent analysis indicating the field could replace, on a cumulative basis to 2050, up to 45% of Ireland's gas imports and 25% of crude oil imports. [29584/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

265. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has received analysis suggesting that gas produced from the Barryroe field could have up to 70% lower production emissions than imported gas and oil up to 12% lower production emissions than imported oil; and whether such analysis has been considered as part of Government discussions on energy security and climate policy. [29585/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

266. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether, in the context of ongoing energy security concerns, his Department has been contacted by an organisation (details supplied); and the response, if any, provided. [29586/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

267. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the Government has considered proposals whereby revenues from domestic transition-fuel projects (details supplied) could contribute to funding renewable energy infrastructure. [29587/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

274. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has been contacted by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the Barryroe gas and oil field; whether meetings have taken place or are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29609/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

275. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has received or considered analysis indicating that the Barryroe field could contribute between €300 million and €3.6 billion in direct tax receipts to the Exchequer; whether such potential impacts form part of policy consideration in relation to domestic energy resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29610/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

276. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether analysis indicating that domestically produced gas from Barryroe could result in significantly lower production emissions, up to 70% lower than imported gas has been assessed by his Department in the context of Ireland's climate objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29611/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

277. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the potential role of domestic transition fuels as a temporary support to Ireland's renewable energy rollout, including proposals linking such projects to the delivery of offshore wind and solar capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29612/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 265, 266, 267, 274, 275, 276 and 277 together.

My Department has engaged with representatives of the company in question.

As outlined in the 2022 Policy Statement on Petroleum Exploration and Production, my Department no longer accepts new applications for petroleum authorisations for the exploration and extraction licences of natural gas or oil. This commitment was made effective immediately upon the previous Government taking office in June 2020, and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 placed this commitment on a statutory basis.

Holders of existing authorisations are not affected by these changes and may apply to progress their authorisations through the usual licensing stages. Pursuant to the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, no new petroleum authorisations can be granted over the “Barryroe” structure, as there is no existing petroleum authorisation in place.

Question No. 265 answered with Question No. 264.

Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 264.

Question No. 267 answered with Question No. 264.