181. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the consequences of the disapplication of Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 by the Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Act 2026 are for the development of the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit. [75119/26]

In March 2025, I received Government approval to develop a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a strategic gas reserve is critical to Ireland's energy security as we transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulations.

The State-led, transitional nature of the reserve ensures that the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets is reduced, that the reserve will be used for emergency use only, and that it does not support increased gas demand with a view to minimising impacts on greenhouse gas emissions.

The section in question disapplies the duties imposed under Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 on certain public and prescribed bodies in the performance of their functions under the Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Act 2026, as well as from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in the performance of its functions under section 39A of Gas Act 1976 in relation to the construction of a pipeline approved by the Minister.

The purpose of the legislation is to provide for an expedited planning consenting pathway to allow the next stage of delivery of the strategic gas emergency reserve project, which is critical to Ireland’s energy security during Ireland's transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy.