Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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613. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the importation of fracked gas from the United States of America; and if measures will be taken to have liquified natural gas, LNG, from fracked sources removed from the EU projects of common interest list in view of climate change commitments and in view of the commitment to ban fracking. [26918/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The recently published Climate Action Plan sets out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. It sets out the actions which must be taken in every sector so we can achieve our targets.

In all projected transitions to a low carbon economy, gas will continue to play a role in Ireland’s energy mix. Gas contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the power generation, industrial and commercial, residential and transport sectors by replacing more CO2-intensive fossil fuels. In Ireland gas powered generation also provides an important back-up for intermittent renewable electricity generation such as wind and solar. Ireland's gas supplies are sourced from Irish gas fields and imports through gas pipelines from the UK.

In relation to LNG projects, commercial developers have proposed a number for development, including the Shannon LNG project and another project in Cork. Final investment decisions for these projects and compliance with any legal and regulatory requirements in relation to consents or permits are the responsibility of the project promoters.

The production, sourcing, buying and selling of natural gas produced outside this jurisdiction, would also be an operational matter for the undertakings involved. Any undertaking would be required to comply with EU law in this area.