The delusional thinking that dominates public debate in this country on so many issues has been illustrated once again by our lack of preparedness for the energy crisis unleashed by Donald Trump’s reckless war in the Middle East.

It is not simply the price of petrol and heating oil that will be impacted if this war continues indefinitely; there is a very real prospect that we will not be able to generate enough electricity to keep the lights on because of our dependence on the supply of imported natural gas.

The latest energy crisis should have surprised no one. Since the oil shock of the 1970s we have been fully aware that our dependence on gas to generate electricity – and oil to fuel our transport system – could leave us at the mercy of international events.

The response of Irish political leaders and policymakers has been to talk earnestly about reducing our dependence on carbon while creating a welter of complex regulations that have led to endless delays in building the offshore wind capacity to generate the electricity we need.

Trump renews threat to increase ferocity of Iran assault; Europe must prepare for ‘long-lasting’ energy shock

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth asks army chief of staff to step down as war continues

France faces wine hangover as falling sales force emergency measures

Bank of Ireland chief Myles........

© The Irish Times