Renewable energy
Mark Hennessy
The Government's pledge to provide one-third of all energy from renewable sources by 2020 will not meet Ireland's EU obligations to cut carbon dioxide emissions, according to Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan.
Even if all renewable energy targets, along with better insulation, are met, Ireland's emissions will rise by a further 30 per cent on today's figures, which are 25 per cent above commitments made under the Kyoto Treaty.
Speaking at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Donegal, Mr Ryan said Ireland was exposed to major economic shocks because of its dependence on imported oil.
Ireland gets 80 per cent of its gas from the North Sea, although some supplies come from Russia: "Vladimir Putin will be the one to decide whether we have gas," he told a debate on the State's energy future.
North Sea gas and oil stocks peaked in 2000, and have dropped "rapidly" by 7 to 8 per cent a year since: "That is why the British government has rewritten two energy papers since then. If they are in trouble, then so are we." Gas could allow Ireland time to convert to a non-fossil fuel society, and away from 90 per cent dependence on imported fossil fuels.
"The average in the rest of the European Union is close to 50 per cent. We are exposed. Everybody in the country should be aware of these facts," he said.