Poll: Do you think Ireland should phase out fossil fuel exploration?

The state is looking to phase out oil and gas exploration, but is it a good idea?

By Laura Roddy Reporter, Fora

AT THE UNITED Nations summit held in New York in September, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that Ireland will pursue a policy of ending fossil fuel exploration. 

According to reports this week, the government is looking at plans to ban oil exploration and phase out gas exploration, although the timeline on extracting gas is not yet clear.

The move in line with the state’s aim to generate 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, as set out under the National Climate Action Plan.

The issue has caused a lot of discussion, with some saying Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels, particularly gas, will continue until new renewable solutions are fully in place and it could need to import fuel from elsewhere, at a time when electricity demand is rising.

Keeping this in mind, we are asking our readers this week: do you think Ireland should phase out fossil fuel exploration