Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In 2020 an allocation of €146 million, a €29 million increase on the figure for last year, will be used to upgrade 24,000 homes and businesses, yet the Deputy is saying we are doing nothing.

With reference to the Shannon liquefied natural gas, LNG, plant - it is important to make this point because the Deputy does not want to hear it because it suits him to misrepresent the facts - concern has been expressed about it. It was designated as a project of common interest by the European Commission for six years in 2013 and again in 2015 and 2017. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, has said he will not support any grant application made by Shannon LNG to the Connecting Europe facility until a security of supply review has been completed and considered by the Government and the Dáil. He has also asked the European Commission to review the implications of importing LNG, both conventionally and unconventionally extracted, into the European Union in terms of sustainability and having a secure and competitive European energy policy.

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