Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said that the next Irish government must contain a standalone Department of Energy to reflect the critical importance of this topic for our country.
Kelleher was speaking following a series of engagements with different stakeholders in the energy sector in recent weeks.
“Five years ago, energy wasn’t a topic of hot debate with the exception of how do we maximise renewable energy production.
“While that target is still essential, energy security is now as important as energy production.
“A standalone department of energy would demonstrate Ireland’s commitment to its energy future.
“At present, energy is lumped in with transport, environment and climate with one Government minister in charge of it all.
“The country that guarantees security and supply of Ireland in the next five years will be the country that guarantees its prosperity into the future.
“Ireland needs to get better and get quicker at answering essential questions about its energy future.
“A stand-alone department focused solely on this objective would, I believe, drive the decision making process and fight, within government, for an enhanced awareness of the role energy will play in Ireland’s prosperity into the future.
“The department should have some quite clear objectives: break down the barriers administratively that are clearly holding Ireland back from capitalising on its potential and be open minded and technologically neutral in how it delivers on its energy targets.
“The present situation isn’t working. There is a bureaucratic lethargy at the heart of government energy policy right now. Decisions are not being made on time or are being slowed down because of intra and inter-departmental bickering.
“Ireland needs to get serious about energy. The next government must have a standalone department that directs the totality of the State’s energy actions,” concluded Kelleher.
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