Energy Infrastructure
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-15
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Frankie Feighan (FG), Sligo-Leitrim

I thank the Senator for raising this serious and indeed topical issue in the current climate. We are effectively in the middle of world war three and energy supplies and many other issues are coming to the forefront which we must deal with as a Government, not just in Ireland but across Europe and across the world.
In March 2025, the Government approved the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve, SGER, in the form of a floating storage and regassification unit, FSRU. The delivery of a gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy, and will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulations. The Government position on the need for a State-operated strategic gas emergency reserve, in the form of a floating storage and regassification unit that will store liquified natural gas, LNG, has been very clear. The strategic gas emergency reserve is a priority project of a strategic nature required to mitigate the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise if Ireland was to experience an interruption to our gas supplies via subsea interconnection. It is not intended for commercial use. The LNG will be held in reserve at the appropriate scale to maintain supplies for the duration of the disruption.
In identifying this as the optimal approach, the Department built upon the extensive review of security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems which was approved by Government in the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 plan in November 2023. The SGER will be owned and operated on behalf of the State by the transmission system operator, Gas Networks Ireland, GNI. Having assessed a range of options, the FRSU was recommended by GNI to meet the Government’s criteria and requirements to quickly develop a strategic and emergency gas reserve aligned with the Climate Act. The SGER will not increase gas demand and will be divested when no longer required, thereby avoiding the risk of fossil fuel lock-in or stranded fossil fuel assets. A policy, legislative, regulatory and operating framework for the SGER is now being progressed to give effect to the Government decision and direction. Any application for an alternative commercial LNG facility will be subject to the statutory planning, consenting and regulatory approvals by relevant bodies, and the appropriate provisions of the relevant legislation will apply.
The request for comment on LNG projects, and Shannon in particular, refers to a private project. This project is currently the subject of an active application for consideration before An Coimisiún Pleanála. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to comment at this time.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-15