Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
187. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason the Government reduced the NORA levy to 0.1 cent per litre in recent years for price relief yet continues to support policies that block domestic oil and gas exploration, thereby perpetuating Ireland's dependence on imported petroleum products and the associated levy costs passed on to motorists, farmers and hauliers. [35983/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to the Committee of Public Accounts hearing on 7 May 2026 regarding NORA's role in energy security, whether he will now bring forward a comprehensive policy statement confirming that the development of Ireland's oil and gas resources is essential to maintaining strategic reserves, lowering the levy burden and ensuring long-term energy independence in the face of ongoing geopolitical risks. [35986/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 190 together.
The National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) Bill 2026 provides for a reduction in the Petroleum Product Levy, more commonly known as the NORA Levy. The NORA Levy is a charge of 2 cent per litre applied to most petroleum products sold in the market, for the purpose of funding the operations of the National Oil Reserves Agency and the Climate Action Fund. The levy reduction to a nominal amount came into effect on 1 April 2026 and will remain in place until 31 July 2026. This levy reduction assists in easing the financial impact of energy price inflation on consumers.
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 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.
