Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Leader will be aware that the programme for Government made it quite clear there would be no support for the retention of the Shannon LNG project when it comes up for renewal on its status as a project of common interest, PCI. That is in the programme for Government. It was a huge disappointment, as the Cathaoirleach will know, to those of us in Kerry, especially in north Kerry. I live fewer than eight miles from the site of that proposed project. It was going to provide 500 jobs in construction and many other long-term jobs in a place that is absolutely devastated by unemployment and emigration.

That said, that is the position of the programme for Government which we supported nonetheless. It was a hard thing to do but we supported it because it was the right and responsible thing to do. It is a good programme for Government, not least because it also makes it quite clear there is a commitment to find, identify and provide alternative funding for environmentally viable projects in that distressed area. Some people are saying that commitment is pie in the sky. Time will tell but as far as I am concerned, it is not pie in the sky. I will make sure the Government knows that the people of north Kerry, in County Clare and other areas in the mid-west will be watching closely as to what alternative compensatory works are initiated to replace the Shannon LNG project, which, by the way, is still moot. The project proposer, New Fortress Energy, has indicated that it is going ahead regardless of whether it gets funding from Europe, if it passes the planning process, which is ongoing at the moment. I wish it well in that regard.