Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will clarify the Government’s position on liquefied natural gas terminals in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18850/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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At its meeting on 24 and 25 March 2022, the European Council agreed to phase out its dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible, as set out in the Versailles Declaration. The Versailles Declaration is clear that Europe needs to phase out or dependency on Russian energy imports by amongst other things accelerating the reduction of our overall reliance on fossil fuels, developing a hydrogen market, speeding up renewables and diversifying supplies and routes including through the use of LNG and development of biogas. In playing its role to deliver upon these commitments, Ireland must ensure we meet our climate ambitions, deliver affordable energy and ensure secure supplies of energy. Ireland has been very clear in its support for the accelerated reduction of our reliance on fossil fuels, particularly through the roll-out of energy efficiency and renewable energies.  

In respect of LNG in Ireland, the Government Policy Statement on importing 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 my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. This review being conducted is being carried out for the period to 2030, in the context of net zero emissions by no later than 2050. This includes examining potential risks and potential mitigating options for such risks. My Department is working to ensure that the implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are reflected in the analysis as well as the broader energy security framework.