Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
185. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide the latest assessment of Ireland's gas supply security given that NORA holds no strategic gas reserves; and whether the Government will now reconsider its moratorium on gas exploration in order to develop indigenous sources and reduce vulnerability to international price volatility and supply disruptions. [35981/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current assessment of the Gulf situation in relation to gas, based on engagement through the IEA, European Commission, UK and GNI, is that there is currently not a risk to security of gas supply in Ireland. We receive around five-sixths of our natural gas from the UK, which has a diverse and robust supply. The primary impact has been on prices, which remain elevated and volatile.
In the longer-term, the Energy Security Review published by my Department in 2023 identified a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve in the form of a floating storage and regasification unit as the most appropriate approach to ensure security of supply. The Government decided in March 2025 to proceed with the strategic reserve, which is not intended for commercial use and will be divested when no longer required to secure the Irish energy system.
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 came into effect immediately on 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.
