Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Government approval in the November 2021 Policy statement on Electricity Supply (details supplied) does not include LNG terminals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2985/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply was approved by Government and published in November 2021. This policy statement sets out that the development of new conventional generation is a national priority and should be permitted and supported in order to ensure security of electricity supply and support the growth of renewable electricity generation. This Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply sets out a number of updates to national policy in the context of the Programme for Government commitments relevant to the electricity sector, planning authorities and developers. In relation to LNG, this policy statement does not change what was set out in the Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas published in May 2021. In particular, I would note where it sets out that “pending the outcome of the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with”. While a project involving an LNG terminal may also include gas-fired generation, it is still an LNG terminal and so it would not be appropriate for the project to be permitted or proceeded with pending the outcome of the review.

The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems is expected to complete in mid-2022, following which the results will be brought to Government.

The clarification set out above has been provided to An Bord Pleanála via the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.