Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
211. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the selection process and timelines in 2021 regarding Ireland’s proposals for the fifth list of EU energy projects of common interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13906/21]
View answer212. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the manner in which and when Ireland will withdraw a previously submitted energy project from the fourth list of EU projects of common interest list in 2021, as noted in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13907/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.
The process and associated timelines for selection of a list of EU energy Projects of Common Interest (PCI) to take place every two years are set out in EU Regulation 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure. According to provisions in the regulation, regional groups, comprising EU member states, national regulatory authorities, applicant project promoters and relevant stakeholders, are established for the purpose of proposing and reviewing PCIs. While the final PCI list is adopted by the European Commission, individual EU Member State approval is required for any PCI that relates to their territory.
Regional Group meetings as part of the process to determine the 5th PCI list have recently commenced, with a final list scheduled to be adopted by the European Commission towards the end of 2021.
The Programme for Government sets out that as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG projects importing fracked gas. It further commits to ensuring the Shannon LNG project is not included in the EU PCI list in 2021. In line with the Programme for Government I have previously confirmed that if an LNG project were to apply for inclusion on the 2021 PCI list, Ireland would not provide the required Member State approval and accordingly such a project would not be included on the list. I would note that no LNG projects in Ireland have applied for inclusion on the 2021 list. Furthermore, the European Commission has proposed an update to the relevant EU regulation, which Ireland has supported, that will ensure no LNG projects would be eligible to be PCIs in future.
