Politics

Coalition leaders urged to push for Ireland to secure energy portfolio in new EU Commission

Senator Lisa Chambers argues Ireland’s offshore energy potential could benefit country and Europe

'Ireland, due to its access to a high-quality wind corridor off the west coast, is uniquely positioned to drive the transition to offshore energy, delivering not just for our nation but for the whole of Europe'

Cormac McQuinn
Wed Apr 3 2024 - 16:00

The Coalition party leaders have been urged to push for Ireland to secure the powerful energy portfolio in the next European Commission to be formed this year. Fianna Fáil Midlands Northwest European election candidate Senator Lisa Chambers made the call, arguing that Ireland’s offshore energy potential could benefit this country and Europe as a whole.

She wrote to incoming Taoiseach, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil, and Green Party Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan asking them to use their influence in Europe in a bid to win the energy brief at the commission.

A new commission will be formed later this year, and Ursula von der Leyen is seeking a second term as its president. It is the commission president that selects which portfolio is assigned to each commissioner.

In her letter to the Coalition leaders Ms Chambers wrote that the energy portfolio “is not just crucial for Ireland; it also represents a strategic European interest”.

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“Ireland, due to its access to a high-quality wind corridor off the west coast, is uniquely positioned to drive the transition to offshore energy, delivering not just for our nation but for the whole of Europe.”

She said: “In your capacities as national party leaders within your respective European political groupings – Fianna Fáil in the Renew Europe and ALDE Party, Fine Gael in the EPP, and the Green Party in the European Greens – it is imperative that we present a united front to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. We must advocate for the assignment of the energy portfolio to Ireland”.

Ms Chambers said: “The urgency of energy independence for Europe and Ireland has been cast into sharp focus by the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia that has resulted in increased energy bills for Irish households, in addition to other cost-of-living challenges for all citizens.”

Her call has been backed by several members of Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary party.

A spokeswoman for Green Party leader Mr Ryan said he has “consistently advocated for more strategic and aligned European interconnection and market design to maximise the potential of a pan-European integrated supergrid and market”.

“Minister Ryan would welcome an Irish commissioner for energy at EU level. Minister Ryan understands that it is a competency of the incoming president of the commission to allocate the commissionerships.”

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn is a Political Correspondent at The Irish Times

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