Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government's policy in relation to liquefied natural gas in Ireland; the action he will take in the event of planning permission being granted for such a facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18824/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Policy Statement on importing 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 my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. This review being conducted is being carried out for the period to 2030, in the context of net zero emissions by no later than 2050. This includes examining potential risks and potential mitigating options for such risks. My Department is working to ensure that the implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are reflected in the analysis and the broader energy security framework. In August 2021, an application was submitted to An Bord Pleanála for a project involving an LNG terminal. As Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I am listed as a Prescribed Body considered relevant by An Bord Pleanála to that planning application. In this regard I wrote, in October 2021, to An Bord Pleanála. My letter set out the Government’s policy in relation to LNG terminals, as per the policy statement, and included a copy of the policy statement. The letter also noted previous correspondence from the Minister and the Department to the developers of the project, which had clearly set out Government policy in relation to LNG terminals. An Bord Pleanála have yet to make a determination on the matter.
