Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
137. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will devise an all-island anti-fracking strategy; and if he has spoken with his counterpart in Northern Ireland in respect of the importation of liquefied natural gas. [9445/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA statutory ban on fracking for petroleum in Ireland is already established under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Act 2017, which prohibits the exploration for and extraction of onshore petroleum by means of hydraulic fracturing. The Government Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, that is currently being carried out by the Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. The review is expected to be completed later this year. The findings of the review will be submitted to Government. While there are terminals to import LNG in Great Britain, there are currently none in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland sources its natural gas from Great Britain by pipeline. I have not had any formal discussions with my Northern Ireland counterpart in relation to Northern Ireland specific policy on LNG, nor do I have plans to devise an all-island anti-fracking strategy.
