I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 39 and 40 together.
The Programme for Government states that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and undertakes to develop a policy statement to establish this approach. My Department is working to develop a proposal to meet this objective which I will bring to Government for approval. The work that is underway includes consideration of what, if any, legislation will be required.
The Programme for Government also states that, as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to allow liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals which import fracked gas and that accordingly the Shannon LNG terminal should not be included in the 2021 list of EU Projects of Common Interest. If this project were to apply for inclusion in the list, the requirement for Ireland’s Member State approval, which would not be forthcoming, would arise in the second half of 2021.