Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
251. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the concrete measures he plans to take to actively oppose proposals for floating LNG terminals in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15402/21]
View answerThe 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 Projects of Common Interest list in 2021.
I have previously confirmed that if any LNG project were to apply for inclusion on the 2021 list of EU Projects of Common Interest, 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 regulation, which Ireland has supported, that will ensure no LNG projects would be eligible to be Projects of Common Interest in future.
The Programme for Government also sets out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. My Department is in the process of developing the policy statement, which includes the consideration of any necessary legal and regulatory provisions. This includes detailed examination of the European energy and environmental frameworks, in which our national laws operate, to ensure the policy statement will be legally robust. Once finalised, I intend to bring the policy statement to Government for approval.
In addition, my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. The outcome of this review, which will be subject to Government approval, will consider if it would be appropriate, or not, to develop LNG terminals in Ireland and, if any such terminals were to be developed, if they should only be in order to provide an emergency backup to existing supply infrastructure.
Pending the outcome of this review, it is my position as Minister that it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. My Department has made, and will continue to make, this position clear to developers of potential LNG projects that contact my Department and in response to any consultations with my Department that are required as part of planning and permitting processes.
