Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There seems to be a contradiction in the Minister's response in terms of considering alternatives to LNG and the amendments that were rushed through at the eleventh hour for the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2023 last week. Is the Minister of the view that LNG that does not have fracked gas can be introduced? It strikes me as very difficult to separate the two issues at all. Does the Minister believe that, even theoretically, we could have LNG that is not from fracked gas?

Regarding the potential for LNG, how is it consistent with the criteria that were set down in the draft energy security review? These included that it needs to be State-led to avoid lock in; must not increase gas demand; must be temporary; must be for emergency use and, most important, must be in line with the climate Act. It strikes me that the amendments brought in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2023 are a Trojan horse for LNG in the State.

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