Billy Kelleher: End Fossil Fuel Ransom, Back Renewables
MEP Billy Kelleher told Parliament that after President Trump's unilateral attack on the Iranian regime Europe can no longer allow citizens to be held ransom by fossil fuel suppliers. He called for a rapid shift to renewables, consideration of nuclear energy, and faster permitting to protect households, SMEs, farmers and industry.
Billy Kelleher warned that continued dependence on imported fossil fuels allows foreign actors - referenced by name in his speech - to influence European living standards and business costs. He said energy prices have been abnormally high for over four years, driving up fertiliser and food costs and squeezing household incomes.
Kelleher urged doubling down on renewables, with particular emphasis on Ireland's offshore wind potential, solar and biogas. He also said the longstanding taboo on nuclear energy in some Member States, including Ireland, must be reconsidered as part of a broader strategy for secure, carbon-free electricity.
The MEP highlighted practical obstacles: slow permitting and slow building of projects across the EU. He argued these delays prolong vulnerability to external shocks and make it harder to shield citizens and businesses from price volatility.
Kelleher framed the debate as one of economic security: only by powering economies with secure, carbon-free electricity can Europeans stop worrying about the whims and actions of dictators and unreliable partners and protect living standards.
Immediate warning
Billy Kelleher warned that continued dependence on imported fossil fuels allows foreign actors - referenced by name in his speech - to influence European living standards and business costs. He said energy prices have been abnormally high for over four years, driving up fertiliser and food costs and squeezing household incomes.
Policy proposals
Kelleher urged doubling down on renewables, with particular emphasis on Ireland's offshore wind potential, solar and biogas. He also said the longstanding taboo on nuclear energy in some Member States, including Ireland, must be reconsidered as part of a broader strategy for secure, carbon-free electricity.
Implementation barriers
The MEP highlighted practical obstacles: slow permitting and slow building of projects across the EU. He argued these delays prolong vulnerability to external shocks and make it harder to shield citizens and businesses from price volatility.
Consequences for citizens
Kelleher framed the debate as one of economic security: only by powering economies with secure, carbon-free electricity can Europeans stop worrying about the whims and actions of dictators and unreliable partners and protect living standards.
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Transcript
Thank you very much, Mr. Jackie. My next speaker is Mr. Callaghan. Since President Trump's unilateral attack on the Iranian regime, it's clear that we can no longer let our citizens be held ransom by countries that can withhold fossil fuels from us. The choice is clear. Will we do what is necessary to wean ourselves off fossil fuels and finally break the link between conflicts in one part of the world affecting the day-to-day lives of European citizens? Households, SMEs, farmers and industry are all suffering. In recent years, energy prices have been abnormally high for over four years, pushing up fertiliser, food prices and the cost of doing business. This results in reduced living standards. We must double down on renewables and, especially in Ireland's case, offshore wind, solar and biogas. We must end the taboo in certain Member States, including my own, about the potential for nuclear energy. Yes, there are many challenges with moving to renewables. We are too slow at permitting, too slow at building, but the alternative is to allow the Ayatollah, Putin or President Trump control our shared futures. Only when our economies are powered by secure, carbon-free electricity will we be able to stop worrying about the whims and actions of dictators and unreliable partners, the conflicts they entangle the world in and the damage they can do to our living standards. Go raibh maith agaibh.