Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department will commit to supporting the Shannon liquified natural gas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5987/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, that is currently being carried out by the Department, 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, therefore, it would not be appropriate for the project to be permitted or proceeded with pending the outcome of the review. The review is expected to complete later this year. The findings of the review will be submitted to Government. I am aware of  the planning application including the Shannon LNG terminal, which has been made to An Bord Pleanála. In this regard, I have written to An Bord Pleanála setting out Government policy in relation to that application - which is that it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with at this time.