Ringsend

Energy is what drives us forward. We use it to go places, heat and cool water, heat our homes, produce, store and cook food and power our many gadgets. Energy prices are equally important as high prices affect the competitiveness of our economy by driving up business energy costs. And there’s the small matter of the €6 billion we spend on importing energy every year, money that would be far better spent on indigenous renewable energy. So the security of Ireland’s energy supply is an important issue for all of us. The Lisbon Treaty brings about significant changes that will help secure Ireland’s energy supply into the future.

According to the International Energy Agency, energy prices and energy security are becoming “major concerns” for Ireland, due largely to our overdependence on imported fossil fuels.  Research by Sustainable Energy Ireland shows that in 2007 we were 79% dependent on imported energy. Scarily, transport was 99% dependent on foreign fuel. This leaves us dangerously exposed to supply disruption and volatile energy markets that are beyond our control.

The most crucial change brought about by Lisbon is the explicit statement of the objective to “ensure security of energy supply in the EU” (Article 194.1, TFEU). The inclusion of this statement makes energy security a clear aim of the EU and obliges the Union to work towards a more secure supply of energy. Another important measure is the provision to share powers on energy policy between the EU and national governments, leading to a more coherent, coordinated energy policy for the EU. At the moment, Russia negotiates with EU countries separately and only the larger states have the bargaining power to get good prices. A united European stance on energy policy would give smaller countries like Ireland an incredible amount of influence in negotiations with gas giants like Russia. Better bargaining power ultimately leads to lower energy prices and cheaper energy bills for you and me.

The promotion of renewable energies and energy efficiency, direct objectives outlined in the Lisbon Treaty, will go further in reducing Ireland’s overall energy demand and reliance on imported energy. Interconnection with the electricity networks of other European countries (Article 194.1, TFEU) is also needed if we are to be able to rely on our neighbours for surplus electricity in times of need.

Energy supply and prices affect us all. Voting YES to Lisbon is the best way to guarantee a secure energy supply while we wean ourselves off our national addiction to fossil fuels.