Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Act 2023
In short
This law updates existing legislation concerning oil emergency preparedness and transfers responsibilities related to renewable transport fuels between government ministers. It aims to enhance the State's ability to respond to oil emergencies and increase the availability of renewable transport fuels.
What it regulates
- The preparation of an oil emergency plan.
- The exemption of certain oil stocks from renewable transport fuel blending requirements in specific situations.
- The establishment of a Petroleum Register.
- The diversion of fuel supplies to critical services during shortages.
Who it concerns
- The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
- The Minister for Transport.
- The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA).
- Entities involved in the supply and blending of oil and renewable transport fuels.
Key points
- The Act amends the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 to include provisions for an "Oil Emergency Plan."
- It transfers renewable transport fuel functions from the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to the Minister for Transport.
- The Minister for Transport can exempt certain oil stocks from the requirement to be blended with renewable transport fuel in specific cases.
- The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications can divert fuel supplies to critical services during fuel shortages by amending the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act 1971.
Legal text
Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Act 2023 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.
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- s)or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2023 Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Act 2023 Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Act 2023 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 2 of 2023 OIL EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY AND TRANSFER OF RENEWABLE TRANSPORT FUEL FUNCTIONS ACT 2023 CONTENTS PART 1 Preliminary and General Section 1. Short title and commencement PART 2 Amendment of National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 2. Definitions 3. Amendment of section 2 of Act of 2007 4. Amendment of section 15 of Act of 2007 5. Amendment of section 28 of Act of 2007 6. Amendment of section 29 of Act of 2007 7. Amendment of section 30 of Act of 2007 8. Amendment of section 43A of Act of 2007 9. Amendment of section 44D of Act of 2007 10. Amendment of section 44G of Act of 2007 11. Obligation to include minimum percentage volume of renewable transport fuel 12. Amendment of section 44J of Act of 2007 13. Amendment of section 44U of Act of 2007 14. Exemption from renewable transport fuel obligation in cases of particular urgency 15. Amendment of section 46 of Act of 2007 16. Amendment of section 47 of Act of 2007 17. Amendment of section 58 of Act of 2007 18. Regulations and orders - Minister for Transport 19. Amendment of section 64 of Act of 2007 20. Amendment of section 68 of Act of 2007 21. Register 22. Provision of information by Minister to Minister for Transport PART 3 Transfer of certain functions under Act of 2007 23. Transfer of functions to Minister for Transport 24. Transfer of administration and business 25. Pending legal proceedings 26. Completion of certain matters commenced 27. Operation of certain instruments 28. Construction of references to Minister 29. Transfer of property, etc. to Minister for Transport 30. Vesting day PART 4 Amendment of Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act 1971 31. Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1971 Acts Referred to Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (No. 46) Companies Act 2014 (No. 38) Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (No. 11) Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (No. 23) Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act 1971 (No. 3) National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (No. 7) Number 2 of 2023 OIL EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY AND TRANSFER OF RENEWABLE TRANSPORT FUEL FUNCTIONS ACT 2023 An Act to amend the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 to provide for the preparation of an oil emergency plan in response to an oil emergency, to enable the Minister for Transport to exempt certain oil stocks from the requirement to be blended with renewable transport fuel in certain cases and to increase the supply of renewable transport fuel available in the State; to establish a Petroleum Register; to transfer renewable transport fuel functions from the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to the Minister for Transport; to amend the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act 1971 to enable the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to divert supplies of fuel to critical services in certain cases of fuel shortages; and to provide for related matters. [24th February, 2023] Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows: PART 1 Preliminary and General Short title and commencement 1.
- a)by the insertion of the following definitions: “‘Oil Emergency Plan’ has the meaning assigned to it by section 68; ‘public body’ means any of the following: (
- a)a Minister of the Government; (
- b)a local authority; (
- c)the Health Service Executive; (
- d)a university or institute of technology; (
- e)an education and training board established under section 9 of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 ; (
- f)any other person, body or organisation established— (
- i)by or under an enactment (other than the Companies Act 2014 ) or charter, (
- ii)by any scheme administered by a Minister of the Government, or (iii) under the Companies Act 2014 in pursuance of powers conferred by or under another enactment, and financed wholly or partly by means of money provided, or loans made or guaranteed, by a Minister of the Government or the issue of shares held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government; (
- g)a company (within the meaning of the Companies Act 2014 ) a majority of the shares in which are held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government; (
- h)any other person, body, organisation or group that the Minister may prescribe for the purposes of this Act; ‘register’ has the meaning assigned to it by section 69.”, and (
- b)by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “prescribed”: “‘prescribed’ means prescribed (other than in sections 44D, 44E, 44G, 44GA, 44X and 44J) by regulations made by the Minister;”. Amendment of section 15 of Act of 2007 4. Section 15 of the Act of 2007 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection
- a)the performance of its functions (including those performed through a subsidiary) under: (
- i)Part 5A; (
- ii)the European Union (Biofuel Sustainability Criteria) Regulations 2012 ( S.I. No. 33 of 2012 ); (iii) the European Union (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Calculation Methods and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2017 ( S.I. No. 160 of 2017 ), and (
- b)its plans for the future performance of its functions under Part 5A or either of the instruments referred to at subparagraphs (
- ii)and (iii) of paragraph (a).
- b)For the purposes of paragraph (a), the Minister shall consult with— (
- i)the Minister for Finance, (
- ii)the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, (iii) the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, (
- iv)the Agency, (
- v)the Environmental Protection Agency, (
- vi)the National Standards Authority of Ireland, and (vii) Sustainable Energy Ireland — The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and may consult with such other persons as he or she considers appropriate.”. Amendment of section 44G of Act of 2007 10. Section 44G of the Act of 2007 is amended— (
- a)in subsection
- i)in paragraph (a), by the substitution of “eligible,” for “eligible, and”, (
- ii)in paragraph (b), by the substitution of “fuel, and” for “fuels.”, and (iii) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (b): “(
- c)such additional certificates as the Minister may provide for by regulations made under subsection (1B).”, and (
- b)by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (1A): “(1B) (
- a)The Minister for Transport may, from time to time, make regulations providing for the Agency to issue, in accordance with this section and notwithstanding subsection
- b)Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), regulations under that paragraph may: (
- i)specify a particular renewable transport fuel in respect of which an additional certificate or certificates may be issued by the Agency, and the number of certificates that may be issued, in respect of the renewable transport fuel concerned; (
- ii)to encourage renewable transport fuel obligation account holders to supply a particular renewable transport fuel for use in economic or transport sectors within the State specified in the regulations or for specific purposes or means of transport, provide that additional certificates may be issued where that renewable transport fuel is used within any of those sectors or for those specific purposes or means of transport. (
- c)Before making regulations under this subsection, the Minister for Transport shall— (
- i)consult with— (I) the Minister for Finance, (II) the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, (III) the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, (IV) the Agency, (V) the Environmental Protection Agency, (VI) the National Standards Authority of Ireland, and (VII) Sustainable Energy Ireland — The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and may consult with such other persons as he or she considers appropriate, and (
- ii)publish, following consultation in accordance with subparagraph (i), on the website of the Department of Transport and by any other means as he or she considers appropriate, a draft of the proposed regulations inviting persons to make representations in writing to the Minister for Transport in relation to the proposed regulations within 28 days from the date of publication and consider any representations made to him or her. (
- d)The Minister for Transport may, having considered any representations made to him or her under paragraph (c)(ii), make the regulations with or without modification. (
- e)When making regulations under this subsection, the Minister for Transport shall have regard to the following: (
- i)the effect of such regulations on fuel prices in the State; (
- ii)the information submitted by the State to the European Commission pursuant to Article 30
- a)consult with— (
- i)the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, (
- ii)the Agency, (iii) the Environmental Protection Agency, (
- iv)the National Standards Authority of Ireland, and (
- v)Sustainable Energy Ireland — The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and may consult with such other persons as he or she considers appropriate, (
- b)publish following consultation in accordance with paragraph (a), on the website of the Department of Transport and by any other means as he or she considers appropriate, a draft of the proposed regulations inviting persons to make representations in writing to the Minister for Transport in relation to the proposed regulations within 28 days from the date of publication and consider any representations made to him or her.
- a)the effect of such regulations on fuel prices in the State; (
- b)the information submitted by the State to the European Commission pursuant to Article 30
- c)the integrated national energy and climate plans and corresponding progress reports submitted by the State to the European Commission pursuant to Articles 3, 17 and 20 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 20182 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action; (
- d)carbon budgets prepared and approved under sections 6A and 6B respectively of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 and sectoral emissions ceilings prepared and approved under section 6C of that Act, and may have regard to such other matters as he or she considers appropriate relating to the effects, if any, of increased consumption of renewable transport fuel in the State on economic activities in the State and on the environment.”. Amendment of section 44J of Act of 2007 12. Section 44J of the Act of 2007 is amended, in subsection
- b)For the purposes of paragraph (a), the Minister shall consult with— (
- i)the Minister for Finance, (
- ii)the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, (iii) the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, (
- iv)the Agency, (
- v)the Environmental Protection Agency, (
- vi)the National Standards Authority of Ireland, and (vii) Sustainable Energy Ireland — The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.”. Amendment of section 44U of Act of 2007 13. Section 44U of the Act of 2007 is amended by the substitution of “The Minister may, following consultation with the Minister for Transport, make regulations” for “The Minister may make regulations,”. Exemption from renewable transport fuel obligation in cases of particular urgency 14. The Act of 2007 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 44X: “44Y.
- a)consult with the Minister and the Agency, and (
- b)have regard to— (
- i)Article 25
- i)in paragraph (b), by the substitution of “the Minister and the Minister for Transport” for “the Minister”, and (
- ii)by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (c): “(
- c)any other person including an officer of the Minister or the Agency appointed to be an authorised officer by the Minister or including an officer of the Minister for Transport appointed to be an authorised officer by the Minister for Transport, as the case may be,”, (
- b)in subsection
- ba)if made by the Minister for Transport, on the Minister for Transport revoking the appointment,”. Amendment of section 47 of Act of 2007 16. Section 47 of the Act of 2007 is amended— (
- a)in subsection
- b)shall be given directly to both the Minister and the Minister for Transport.”, and (
- c)by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection
- a)for any purpose in relation to which regulations are provided for in sections 44D, 44E, 44G, 44GA, 44J and 44X, and (
- b)for prescribing any matter or thing referred to in sections 44D, 44E, 44G, 44GA, 44J and 44X as prescribed or to be prescribed.
- a)in the case of an offence under section 44E, 44G or 44GA, by the Minister for Transport or the Agency, (
- b)in the case of an offence under section 44U or 50, by the Minister or the Agency, and (
- c)in the case of an offence under section 59, by the Minister.”. Amendment of section 68 of Act of 2007 20. The Act of 2007 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 68: “Oil Emergency Plan 68.
- a)such measures as the Minister considers appropriate to provide for mitigation against and preparedness for an oil supply disruption, including in relation to the maintenance of oil stocks in accordance with section 32; (
- b)measures to monitor the availability of petroleum products in the State; (
- c)procedures for consultation between the Minister, such public bodies as the Minister considers appropriate, the Agency and oil companies and oil consumers in relation to the implementation of the Oil Emergency Plan; (
- d)procedures for the timely release of oil stocks by the Minister where section 35 applies; (
- e)such measures, including in relation to the consumption of road transport fuel, to conserve petroleum products as the Minister, following consultation with such public bodies as the Minister considers appropriate, may determine; (
- f)such measures as the Minister considers appropriate to ensure that supplies of petroleum products to such entities as are deemed by the Minister, following consultation with such other Ministers as the Minister considers appropriate, to be providing a critical service in the State are, in so far as practicable, protected.
- a)returns made by renewable transport fuel obligation account holders pursuant to regulations made by the Minister under section 44U; (
- b)the prosecution of offences by the Minister or the Agency under section 44U; (
- c)the performance by the Minister of his or her functions under sections 44O and 44P.”. PART 3 Transfer of certain functions under Act of 2007 Transfer of functions to Minister for Transport 23. The functions conferred on the Minister by or under— (
- a)sections 44A, 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F, 44G, 44H, 44I, 44J, 44K, 44L, 44M, 44N, 44Q, 44R, 44S, 44T, 44V, 44W and 44X of the Act of 2007, (
- b)the European Union (Biofuel Sustainability Criteria) Regulations 2012 ( S.I. No. 33 of 2012 ), (
- c)the European Union (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Calculation Methods and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2017 ( S.I. No. 160 of 2017 ), and (
- d)Regulation 4 of the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations
- Where, immediately before the vesting day, any legal proceedings are pending to which the Minister is a party and the proceedings have reference to functions transferred by section 23 the name of the Minister for Transport shall, to the extent that they have such reference, be substituted for the Minister in those proceedings or added in the proceedings, as may be appropriate, and the proceedings shall not abate by reason of such substitution. Completion of certain matters commenced
- Anything commenced but not completed before the vesting day by or under the authority of the Minister may, in so far as it relates to a function transferred by section 23 , be carried on and completed by the Minister for Transport. Operation of certain instruments
- Every instrument (including any certificate or licence) granted or made in the performance of a function transferred by section 23 shall, if and in so far as it was operative immediately before the vesting day, continue to have effect from the vesting day as if it had been granted or made by the Minister for Transport. Construction of references to Minister 28.
- a)the said property, real and personal, shall, from the vesting day, vest in the Minister for Transport, (
- b)the said rights shall, from the vesting day, be enjoyed by the Minister for Transport, and (
- c)the said liabilities shall, from the vesting day, be the liabilities of the Minister for Transport.
- The Minister for Transport shall by order appoint a day to be the vesting day for the purposes of this Part as soon as practicable after the coming into operation of this section and a reference in this Part to the “vesting day” shall be construed as a reference to the day so appointed. PART 4 Amendment of Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act 1971 Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1971
- Section 3 of the Act of 1971 is amended— (a) in subsection
- a)the Minister may, in the interests of the common good, by direction in writing, require oil companies operating within the State, or other such persons as the Minister may designate, to supply fuel to which an order under section 2 relates to designated generating stations within the meaning of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 , or such other persons or locations as may be necessary on such terms as may be specified in the direction, in order to secure the supply of electricity in the State and the operation of such services as are deemed by the Minister to be critical services of the State; (
- b)the Minister may, where he or she considers it necessary in order to protect the operation of such services as are deemed by the Minister to be critical services of the State, by direction in writing, regulate, restrict or control the acquisition, supply, distribution, marketing or use of the type or types of fuel to which the order under section 2 relates.”. 1 OJ No. L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1 2 OJ No. L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1 3 OJ No. L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82 4 OJ No. L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 88 Privacy Statement Accessibility European Legislation Identifier (PDF) Open Data License Ráiteas Príobháideachais Inrochtaineacht Aitheantóir Eorpach Reachtaíochta (ELI) Ceadúnas Sonraí Oscailte Liosta Fianán © Government of Ireland. Oireachtas Copyright Material is reproduced with the permission of the Houses of the Oireachtas © Rialtas na hÉireann. Atáirgtear ábhar faoi Chóipcheart le cead ó Thithe an Oireachtais