Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will make three points in response to the Minister's comments. First, I restate that the difficulty for all of us in opposition with the process tonight is that we have not had sufficient opportunity to debate the amendments from the Seanad. There are 627 of them in 31 groupings and we are still on the first grouping. Three hours is not enough time to debate amendments we have not had an opportunity to consider before.

Like others, I commend Deputy Matthews, who chaired the committee hearings so well. We had extensive committee hearings and there is no doubt about that. However, these amendments were not before us then and that is the issue.

I endorse the comments made by others expressing concern about the Bill's compliance with the Aarhus Convention. Those concerns have been set out by many groups, individuals and stakeholders from a diverse range of perspectives. They have raised concerns about compliance with the convention and that is something we need to take on board.

On the provision of LNG terminals, the Minister said he regards the amendment he has put forward as representing no change in policy. That simply is not right. The programme for Government states, "We shall withdraw the Shannon LNG terminal from the EU Projects of Common Interest list". It also states, "We do not support the importation of fracked gas". Ministers have made numerous statements to that effect. They have stated there should never be any commercial LNG terminals in Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, has been clear that he does not think any will be developed. That is directly contradicted by the putting forward of these last-minute amendments that designate LNG as strategic infrastructure. As Friends of the Earth has stated, you do not legally designate as strategic something you oppose or do not think you need. It is impossible to square that, particularly in light of the High Court decision of 30 September, which cast doubt on whether a moratorium exists in LNG. The Government has presented its position as being that of a moratorium on LNG. That cannot stand, given the High Court decision and given the fact these amendments are now before us and there are no restrictions in them. I appeal to the Minister. It may be that we do not reach the relevant group of amendments in the short time we have. The seventh group relates specifically to LNG. The Minister did us the courtesy of responding on the LNG issue in his earlier remarks and I want to come back on that point. How can the Minister say this does not represent a change of Government policy when it is clearly contradicting stated Government policy and leaving the door open to the development of future LNG terminals? That is a prospect that is out of keeping with the wishes of the vast majority of people.

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