Paschal Donohoe: We must accelerate our move to energy independence 

'The path to our self-sufficiency is not one that will happen overnight,' says Finance Minister

'[W]e need to radically accelerate our energy independence in Ireland and in Europe,' Mr Donohoe said, adding that Ireland must accelerate its offshore wind programme such as here at Arklow Bank. Picture: Neil Michael

Ireland must accelerate its drive towards energy independence to avoid "the real price" of doing business with governments guilty of human rights abuses, the finance minister has said.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner in London, Paschal Donohoe said the war in Ukraine served as a reminder that Ireland and Europe must be responsible for their own energy security.