Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his position with regard to the proposed development of a LNG fracked-gas processing facility at Ballylongford, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32315/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government set out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and committed to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. On 18 May 2021, the Government's Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was published. The policy statement sets out that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems being carried out by my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with.

The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review includes a technical analysis which will help inform a public consultation. The technical analysis includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of options that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. 

It is planned that the technical analysis will be published and the public consultation undertaken in the second half of this year. The review, once completed, will be submitted to Government.