Shannon LNG and winter gas supply
Deputy Healy-Rae asked the Government to support Shannon LNG as a way to secure gas supply for winter electricity generation. The Minister said energy security was a priority and that Ministers and party leaders were considering LNG’s role in future policy.
Members of the Minister's Government have said they have secured four or five gas-fired generators to complement our capacity to generate electricity this winter.
Where are we going to get the gas from? To this end, I am asking the Minister and his Government to support Shannon LNG's application for a terminal in the Shannon Estuary. The Taoiseach promised to support this application during the last election when he was canvassing north Kerry with Deputy Foley. Will he support this application or not? The position we are now in with gas coming from Russia and different places means that security of energy is vital for the people of this country.
Comment on this
The Government is well aware of the importance of energy supply for any economy, particularly a small open economy like our own, and is taking measures to ensure that in the time ahead we can preserve continuity of energy supply even at a time when we know that prices are changing. I am aware of the very specific issue being raised by the Deputy and, indeed, Deputy Griffin has also raised this issue with me on a number of occasions. The Government has a clear view on the role that LNG can play in the future and I know that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, the Taoiseach, and the party leaders will consider the options that are needed to ensure we have better energy supply in the time ahead.
On the question that was put to me by Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, my understanding is that from a VAT directive point of view, the particular petrol rebate he is referring to is not permissible but I will check on that and revert to the Deputy because I know that it is an important matter for the boats and vessels he is referring to.
I will ask that the Department of Health to revert to Deputy Tully on the dentistry matter that has just been raised.