Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
60. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has received proposals on a project (details supplied) for a floating liquefied natural gas, LNG, terminal; the status of such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8769/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received correspondence from the company referred to in the Question regarding a number of gas projects including the potential development of a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in County Louth. This is a potential development by a private sector company with which my Department has no involvement. I, as Minister, and my Department are neither supporting nor actively engaging with this proposal. The Programme for Government recognises that as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG terminals that import fracked gas. The Programme for Government commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach.
My Department is in the process of developing the policy statement which includes 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.
