Energy Security: Statements Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-29 ============================================================ Mark Duffy (FG), Labour Panel I thank the Minister of State as well as the Minister who was present earlier, for being here for this incredibly important debate and for listening intently on the contributions that have been made. We are in a perilous situation where nothing is the same as it was previously. We have seen that with the weaponisation of fuel and energy following Putin’s aggression in Ukraine. We have seen it more recently in the Middle East with the Strait of Hormuz. We see how quickly anarchy can be at risk of breaking out, whether in Ireland or anywhere around the world, when the supply and cost of energy are threatened and undermined. We have many opportunities in Ireland to turn a corner to decarbonise and improve energy security and independence. Wind and solar are two elements on which we can do more. I welcome the supports for individual homeowners, such as the deep retrofit grants and the targeting of the most vulnerable and most affected by high energy prices. Those in receipt of the fuel allowance may benefit from a 100% retrofit grant. That is a good approach. Further interventions, such as supports on solar energy and battery storage on an individual residential basis, can play a significant role in supporting people and mitigating the worst challenges of the variation in energy prices. We need clarity when it comes to wind and solar energy. Clarity is also needed for onshore and offshore wind farm proposals. They can and will play an important role but clear, defined strategies for all of our counties are needed. Previously, I was the chair of Mayo County Council’s enterprise, marine and planning strategic policy committee. This is something that is regularly asked for at both a county and national level. I am also a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy. This is needed to realise the potential of onshore wind. The same goes for solar. While solar is a positive measure on an individual basis, solar farms need to have defined limits. The Minister of State will have experienced this in his county. We all experience it in our areas. Clarity is needed as to what can be built and where and when it can happen. We cannot have a free-for-all process. In respect of gas exploration, we import 80% of our gas. While we have long-term energy reserves of over 80 days for fuel, we do not have the same level of security for gas. Although the Minister outlined in his contribution that there is no risk to supply, we have an opportunity to increase our independence on gas use. A total of 20% of our gas comes from the Corrib field off the coast of Belmullet, County Mayo, but Inishkea gas field has enormous potential to supply more gas to the network in Ireland. I would welcome the Minister of State’s thoughts on the Inishkea gas fields. While we need to decarbonise, we must be pragmatic. We cannot be held ransom by rogue states and operators or have the whole cohesion of the country threatened based on external factors. If we can improve our energy security and independence, we need to do it. I welcome the Minister of State’s contribution in that regard. The energy cloud concept has been good in reducing bills and topping people up with hot water through their tanks when there is an oversupply of electricity on the grid. Rather than a dispatch down where turbines are turned off, energy is released back onto the grid free of charge, which helps vulnerable users to reduce bills. I welcome the leadership of Mayo County Council in piloting the concept. Hopefully, it will be rolled out further. The concept, which Senator McCarthy raised, of not wasting wind energy needs to be mobilised more. In a broader sense, an idea that I have thought about and perhaps raised previously in this Chamber – I welcome the contribution of both the Minister of State and the Minister in this regard – is to have battery storage in towns to benefit individual residents in the event of power outages. We saw the vulnerability last January with Storm Éowyn. To support voluntary charity organisations with reduced costs for their energy on a strategic level, there should be State-built battery storage for a town, for example, which could benefit from the oversupply at certain times. We have some of the largest wind farms in the country in my locality, such as the Oweninny wind farm in Bellacorick just outside Crossmolina. When there is an oversupply, it should not be wasted. Can battery storage be mobilised in localities for communities to benefit from the oversupply that is being lost and wasted, whether that be sporting organisations with high bills, arts centres, charities and community groups? There is a great opportunity to realise that. I would welcome the Minister of State's contribution on that. Private wires legislation is a good opportunity to encourage 80% renewable supply for larger industrial developments such as data centres. Having the ability to directly access renewable energy without interacting directly with the grid is a good opportunity. On an individual level, we need to continue to support homeowners who want to do a full retrofit of their house, or individual measures, and mobilise and use the opportunity battery and solar offer. We need to be really progressive and swiftly move forward on key strategic opportunities. Where there is discussion on nuclear, we need to have a full and open debate on all opportunities as well the Inishkea gas field. Clarity is needed on strategic projects such as wind and solar farms. I welcome the Minister of State's contributions and thoughts. I thank him for being here for the discussion. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-29/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-04-29