The Government of Ireland decided not to proceed with the Climate Emergency Bill and allow oil and gas exploration to continue, which is an important step to ensure energy security and create jobs, according to the Irish Offshore Operators’ Association (IOOA).
The representative organisation for the Irish offshore oil and gas industry says this decision has paved the way for finds similar to the Kinsale and Corrib gas fields which currently supply 60% of gas to Irish homes and businesses.
Government has recognised that using our own natural resources is not only good for energy security but also good for the environment and jobs. The facts speak for themselves: Russian Gas imported to Ireland creates 34-38% more GHG emissions than using Irish gas, while LNG imported from Qatar creates 22-30% more,
…Mandy Johnston, CEO of the IOOA, noted, welcoming the decision.
These remarks come as the country is extremely dependent in oil and gas, contributing a major part of Ireland’s energy supply.
Brexit and political instability in the Middle East and Russia, together with the lack of established gas interconnection with mainland Europe, leave us extremely vulnerable to massive major gas and energy disruptions.
Recognising this challenge, only a few European countries have banned offshore exploration, such as France, which has a stable nuclear infrastructure powering over 50% of its needs.
There is no realistic scenario under which gas and oil will not be required to contribute a major part of Ireland’s energy supply in the short to medium term…We must work together to create progressive policies which can make a meaningful and positive impact, without undermining the prosperity of Ireland for our future generations,
…stressed Ms. Johnston.
