A Russian 'threat' to turn off gas supplies to Europe will not directly effect Ireland.
That's according to Fine Gael's European affairs spokesman, Neale Richmond.
He was speaking after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to turn off supplies from Friday, if countries refuse to pay their bills in Russian currency.
"I've signed a decree today that sets the rules of the Russian natural gas trade with so-called unfriendly states", Mr Putin said in a televised address on Thursday.
"We are offering our contracting parties from such countries a clear and transparent agreement.
"To buy Russian gas, they should open ruble accounts in Russian banks and pay for gas from these accounts.
"Delivered starting from tomorrow, April 1st", he added.
Contracts are usually set in euros or dollars - with Germany, which is heavily reliant on the imports, calling it "blackmail".
Dublin-Rathdown TD Neale Richmond says it is not a big issue for Ireland.
"This threat from the Russians will have no direct effect in Ireland, as we don't really import much gas directly from Russia.
"But it could have a huge impact on the wider European Union and other member states that are reliant on Russian gas.
"That said: I do think this is a bit of an idle threat.
"Russia's threatened to do this before, but ultimately accepted payment from Germany and other countries in euro.
"Russia are seeking to change the payment plan because their economy is absolutely tanking due to European, UK, US and other countries sanctions".
Brussels-based journalist with Politico, Suzanne Lynch, tends to agree.
"Somewhere like Ireland is unique in that it's not connected to the continent.
"So no matter what moves the EU make, it might not be suitable for Ireland.
"It's still got it's own energy supply systems. But yes, it's a huge issue".
And she suggests a loophole could be used in the short-term.
"Putin is now requiring customers to pay in rubles, but what they will actually be able to do is pay in euros or dollars.
"The money will go into a Russian bank, Gazprom, which is not sanctioned.
"And then it will be converted into rubles - so both sides can keep doing what they're doing.
"This is temporary, some people are saying it'll buy Europe some time for the next month's contracts.
"You've got the kind of moral argument in this: because whether Germany in particular - because it buys by far the most Russian gas - if it pays in euros, if it pays in rubles, it's still paying Russia for gas."
Negotiations aimed at ending the five-week invasion of Ukraine are set to resume later on Friday.
