Louth TD clashes with Taoiseach during debate on energy crisis

Louth TD Erin McGreehan has called on the Government to move from "volatility to stability" with regards to fossil fuels. 

The calls were made during a Dáil debate on the progress of the Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House, which aims to resolve identified impediments to the timely delivery of offshore renewable energy.

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan welcomed the establishment of the clearing house and said Ireland is "dangerously exposed when it comes to energy". 

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"We are still far too reliant on imported fossil fuels, leaving our citizens and the economy at the mercy of global volatility.

We have seen the consequences of that in recent weeks with soaring bills, uncertainty and pressure on households and businesses," she said

Deputy McGreehan said Ireland "must move decisively from volatility to stability".

The Fianna Fáil TD said the country has to "match ambition with delivery" and added there are "huge opportunities for Ireland to scale up". 

In response, Taoiseach Micheál Martin agreed and said there has been a fossil fuel crisis "almost decade-by-decade". 

"A war in the Middle East or a war in Ukraine through the invasion by Russia and we have an energy crisis of one kind or another."

"I would point out that there are huge opportunities, which we have seen in the context of onshore wind. As I say to all Deputies, close to 50% of all or our electricity is generated by onshore wind. That was good Government policy," he said. 

Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú said there needs to be "major moves" with regards to wind energy. 

Deputy Ó Murchú questioned if the Government has plans to move towards biogas, a renewable fuel produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic materials like food waste, manure, and sewage. 

He said Denmark has reduced its carbon footprint by around 40% as a result. 

The Taoiseach hit back at the Sinn Féin TD saying his party would only oppose anaerobic digestion, before saying the Government has a plan for it. 

"We are rolling it out. We have a plan. That plan has been published, but, let us be honest, it has met roadblocks from all Opposition Deputies. Politically, these are difficult issues. Onshore wind is a difficult issue, but we are all saying that we have to replace fossil fuels. There are tough political choices to be made, but there is a plan for that. We will continue to work on it," he said.