The government of Ireland has taken an important step to ensure energy security, protect the environment and create jobs by allowing gas and oil exploration to continue, says the IOOA.

The government of Ireland has taken an important step to ensure energy security, protect the environment and create jobs by allowing gas and oil exploration to continue.

That’s according to the Irish Offshore Operators’ Association (IOOA), which made the statement in a release posted recently on its website.

In the release, the IOOA said the decision not to proceed with the Climate Emergency Bill has paved the way for finds similar to the Kinsale and Corrib gas fields. These finds currently supply 60 percent of gas to Irish homes and businesses, the IOOA highlighted.

“Government has recognized that using our own natural resources is not only good for energy security but also good for the environment and jobs,” Mandy Johnston, CEO of the IOOA, said in an organization statement.

“The facts speak for themselves. Russian Gas imported to Ireland creates 34-38 percent more greenhouse gas emissions than using Irish gas, while Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imported from Qatar creates 22-30 percent more,” Johnston added.

“There is no realistic scenario under which gas and oil will not be required to contribute a major part of Ireland’s energy supply in the short to medium term,” Johnston continued.

Formally established in 1995, the IOOA describes itself as the representative organization for companies licensed to explore for, and produce, oil and gas in Irish waters. It currently has 15 members representing multinational and Irish companies.

There have been four commercial natural gas discoveries since exploration began offshore Ireland in the early 1970s, according to Ireland’s department of communications, climate action and environment (CCE). These are the Kinsale Head, Ballycotton and Seven Heads producing gas fields off the coast of Cork and the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo. There have been no commercial discoveries of oil to date, according to the CCE.