Brexit is undoubtedly the most significant challenge Ireland faces in the years ahead. The economic and social links between the UK and Ireland are stronger than those between any other European countries.
One of those key links – with a strong North/South dimension - is energy. The Republic imports most of its energy – in 2015 we had an import dependency of 88 per cent – and the UK is the source of much of this energy. Indigenous sources of energy include renewable energy, peat and natural gas.
The proper functioning of our economy and society is reliant on energy and it is therefore a key priority for me to ensure the continued secure trade in energy between the UK and other EU countries.
A crucial dimension of the close energy links we have is the Single Electricity Market for the island of Ireland.
This cross-border market, in operation since 2007, continues to deliver benefits to electricity consumers across the island of Ireland. We are further developing this market into the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM).
Last November the Northern Ireland minister for the economy and I confirmed our joint commitment to the ongoing development of the Single Electricity Market. The new market arrangements will be in place in 2018, yielding benefits for electricity market customers north and south. The British government’s White Paper published on Thursday noted that they are considering all options for the UK’s future relationship with the EU on energy, in particular, to avoid disruption to the Single Electricity Market operating across this island.
The North-South Interconnector, which will further support the Single Electricity Market and lower costs for consumers, has received planning permission in Ireland and is in the planning process in Northern Ireland. This is a vital project to ensure the security of supply in Northern Ireland – a further example of the interdependence of our energy systems.
As part of the Government’s consultation work on Brexit, I will be hosting an All-Island Civic Dialogue on Energy in Boyle, County Roscommon today. I will hear directly from key stakeholders from across the island about the challenges we face and potential opportunities in the energy sector.
This event forms part of the wider All-Island Civic Dialogue process, launched by the Taoiseach in November of last year. A series of sectoral All-Island Civic Dialogue events are being hosted by my ministerial colleagues across the country and these will feed into the next full meeting of the All-Island Civic Dialogue later this month. This will feed into the government’s Brexit preparations.
Brexit is a priority across government and for me as minister for communications, climate action and environment. An extensive programme of engagement with all other EU governments and the EU institutions, including the Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way. At the most recent EU Energy Council in December, I held bilateral discussions with a number of my European counterparts on the subject of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland. This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level.
Of course Ireland is not the only country that has energy links with Britain. France, Belgium and the Netherlands all have either natural gas or electricity interconnectors. Ireland will work closely with these EU partners to achieve our shared objective of secure trade in energy between the UK and EU Member States.
:: Denis Naughten TD is the Republic's minister for communications, climate action and environment
