Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
97. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify his position in relation to LNG terminals; if he supports such gas infrastructure being included on the EU Projects of Common Interests lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13285/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify Government policy in relation to the building of LNG terminals here; if such proposals are compatible with the State commitment to the Paris climate treaty; if he will consider a proposal to remove LNGs from the list in the Planning and Development Act 2000 of strategic infrastructure developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13280/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 121 together.
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 Projects of Common Interest list in 2021. I have previously confirmed that if an 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 review will inform future policy in relation to natural gas supplies, gas storage, electricity interconnection, emergency reserves and other measures that would enhance our security of supply. This will be done in the context of the doubling of the electricity generated from renewable sources to 70% of Ireland’s final consumption and the achievement of net zero emissions by 2050. It is in the context of this study that any changes to planning legislation could be considered. I expect that the review will be completed by the end of 2021.
