LNG energy security is critical for Ireland, taskforce warns

Calls for LNG storage grow amid gas supply fears

He raised the warning at an Institute of Directors conference in Dublin on Tuesday, where he also challenged claims that Ireland does not need new liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities.

O’Driscoll warned that dismissing the need for alternative supplies could leave the State dangerously exposed.

Around 30% of Ireland’s primary energy comes from gas, much of which arrives through a pipeline from Scotland. O’Driscoll said any disruption to that supply could have immediate consequences for the economy.

“If anything happens to those pipelines, our economy shuts down in three or four hours,” he said, according to The Irish Times. He also criticised those arguing against LNG facilities, describing the position as “complacency”.

Ireland’s wider dependence on imported fuel adds to the concern. O’Driscoll said the country imports half of its energy as oil and has a strategic reserve that would last just 90 days.

Nine major projects prioritised under new legislation

The Government has already introduced measures to speed up major infrastructure projects. 

Under the Critical Infrastructure Act, passed this year, Energy Minister Darragh O’Brien can bypass normal planning procedures for certain developments, including a proposed State-backed LNG storage facility.

Nine projects have been prioritised under the legislation so far. 

These include MetroLink, the Shannon-Dublin water scheme and the North-South Interconnector, which is intended to strengthen electricity connections across the Border.

The interconnector was first proposed around 20 years ago, but completion is not expected until 2031. 

Although it has cleared planning hurdles on both sides of the Border, local opposition has contributed to delays.

O’Driscoll said politicians now need to do more to build public support for major infrastructure projects, arguing that approval alone is not enough to get them over the line.

“These things have to be built; political leaders will have to step up,” he said.