Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Government banned onshore fracking under pressure from not only Deputies in this House but the wider movement in society. Unfortunately, the Government did not back amendments from left-wing Deputies to ban offshore fracking, which should be done as well. The Government has indicated support for the project in Shannon, but said it will not proceed, pending an energy review. Will all work related to the importation of fracked gas be frozen while this energy review takes place? If Next Decade submits a planning application for a floating storage regassification unit at Whitegate in Cork Harbour while this review is taking place, will the application be processed or frozen? The Taoiseach should be able to answer that because it is a Government review. Unless it changes course, the Government will walk into a storm on this issue. More than 2,000 people have already signed a "Not Here, Not Anywhere" petition against fracked gas in Cork Harbour. If a planning application goes ahead, it could and should be a signal for that campaign to move from cyberspace to the streets.

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