Forthcoming from Marshall on Policy and Brief Me

A practical citizen’s guide to understanding Ireland’s energy system, navigating competing arguments and participating more confidently in discussions about Ireland’s energy future.

About This Book

Ireland is attempting one of the largest infrastructure and policy transformations in its history. New sources of electricity, major investment in the grid, climate commitments, planning disputes, energy security concerns, and questions of cost have combined to create a debate that affects every citizen.

Yet the debate is often difficult to follow. Technical language, competing claims, and the sheer complexity of the energy system can make it hard to know where to begin.

Ireland’s Energy : Brief Me is a short guide for citizens who want to understand the discussion without becoming specialists.

The book explains how Ireland’s energy system works, what the country is trying to achieve, the principal choices and trade-offs involved, and the arguments that shape public discussion. It provides readers with the context needed to navigate energy conversations more confidently and critically.

The aim is not to persuade readers to adopt a particular position. The aim is to help them understand the issues well enough to reach their own conclusions.

Who It Is For

This book is written for:

• Interested citizens
• Community groups
• Students and teachers
• Journalists
• Councillors and public representatives
• Anyone seeking a clearer understanding of Ireland’s energy future

No technical background is assumed.

What The Book Covers

Topics are expected to include:

• How Ireland’s energy system works
• Energy security, affordability and sustainability
• The electricity grid
• Wind, solar and other technologies
• Infrastructure, planning and public consent
• Costs, benefits and trade-offs
• Common arguments and misunderstandings
• A glossary of key terms, with comprehensive explanations
• Guidance on entering the debate constructively
• Sample materials for community discussio

The Intended Outcome

A reader should be able to complete this book over a weekend and emerge with a practical understanding of Ireland’s energy debate, the language used within it, and the questions that matter most.

Status

In development.

Expected length: approximately 100 pages, including glossary and reader guidance
Planned publication date : 1 December 2026
Planned format: Amazon Print on Demand, Kindle

Author

David Marshall writes Marshall on Policy, where he publishes essays and briefings on energy, governance and public affairs. Drawing on experience across advocacy, public engagement and policy analysis, he examines the practical and social choices that emerge when societies confront long-term challenges.

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