Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
157. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support a call for a global ban on fracking being proposed by Ireland at the United Nations General Assembly on climate mitigation, public health, environmental protection and human rights grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29279/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes clear that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Following upon a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government published a Policy Statement on May 2021 which outlines both constraints and opportunities for Government action in this area, including in the context of Ireland's obligations as a Member State of the European Union.
In relation to the United Nations General Assembly it is important that any proposed Resolution garner sufficient Member State support to be passed by a clear majority in the General Assembly. At this time I do not believe from our soundings on the ground that this support currently exists. A failed Resolution would set back progress on this important issue. The work of building support must continue.
Nevertheless, the Government is committed to taking action in ways which are consistent with the proposed Resolution. In the short term, the revision of the European Union’s Gas Directive and Gas Regulation provides an opportunity to build consensus within the EU, itself an important constituency for any work at the UN.
Separately, upcoming climate related events provide an opportunity to advance understanding of international dynamics around this proposal. Such events include the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy in September 2021, the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in October 2021 (COP15), the Conference of Parties to United National Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2021 (COP26), the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (date TBC), and the United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in 2022. This will complement Ireland's engagement on the Climate and Security agenda during our term on the Security Council.
