Speech
Remarks by Tánaiste Micheál Martin at the Energy Independence Summit
From Department of Foreign Affairs
By: Minister for Foreign Affairs; Micheál Martin
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
By: Minister for Foreign Affairs; Micheál Martin
Published on
Last updated on
Check against delivery
Thank you. I would like to first echo the Taoiseach in welcoming you all to Government Buildings today for this Energy Summit.
When we negotiated the Programme for Government we identified renewable energy, and offshore renewable energy in particular, as an area of enormous potential and a strategic priority for the country.
The war in Ukraine and the disruptive effect that it has had on energy markets has only reinforced the urgency and importance of realising that potential.
Our colleague Minister Ryan will talk later in the programme about the work being carried out within his department, but what is very clear is that our ambitions require a huge national effort involving all arms of the State, the business sector, and the wider community.
I am hugely optimistic about what we can achieve as a country, and I see today as an opportunity to listen to the views of you, as leaders across different sectors, on how we can collectively deliver on the enormous changes that are necessary.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs I am acutely conscious of how this energy transformation is being driven across Europe – with even more ambitious targets and regulations agreed over the past eighteen months since the invasion of Ukraine.
I believe Ireland can, should, and will play an important role in Europe’s energy transformation – given the potential of our offshore resources in particular. The €1.6 billion Celtic Interconnector project, which will connect our national grid into the European mainland, and which is currently underway, is crucial in that regard.
We have made the political commitment, and now the big challenge, which I look forward to hearing more about today, is delivery, delivery, delivery.
What can we as a government do better or more quickly, and how can we build a shared vision for the future and get buy-in from across society for the change required?
We should be honest that alongside the massive potential of what we are undertaking, some of the change will be difficult – not just the financial and technological challenges, but building greater community support for grid infrastructure, wind turbines and solar panels, and getting better and smarter on how and when we use energy.
But there are great examples from abroad which we can learn from, and scope to develop unique Irish capacities and skills over the years ahead.
My hope is that we are able to look back in twenty years time - when people from other parts of the world are visiting Ireland to learn from us - and be satisfied that as a nation, we made the very most of the opportunity we have been presented with.
And on that hopeful note, I will conclude by again thanking you for attending.
I want to reassure you of the government’s commitment to the mission and our interest in your views and ideas, and I look forward to learning from the discussions today.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.