The chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Marie Donnelly, has said that recent “geopolitical events” have highlighted the need for Ireland to become more independent with regard to energy production.
Ms Donnelly told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that she was horrified at what was happening in Ukraine. There was no positive message from it except that when faced with a crisis “we’re able to take action".
Ireland needed to “stretch ourselves” and decide “what are we prepared to do.”
There was a need to act now and to make a move now on climate action changes in order to get benefit, she added.
Ms Donnelly said that 67 per cent of Ireland’s energy was imported and the vast majority of people will be paying higher prices because of geopolitical events.
There needed to be more moves to be independent in terms of energy – wind, hydro – which would also help climate action. “This is an act that would have multiple benefits.”
Recent storms had exposed real concerns with communications and energy utilities, she added.
