Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026
Public bill · Government · Presented
The legislation would create a special fast-track process for a strategic gas reserve near Cahiracon, Co. Clare, so the Minister can approve it directly to help protect Ireland’s energy supply in an emergency. It would set out public consultation, environmental checks, and a decision process with the planning rules normally used for major projects set aside for this one project, while still requiring environmental assessment and allowing court challenges. It matters because it is meant to speed up a potentially important energy-security project, but it also raises the stakes for how environmental concerns and public input are handled.
Formal long title
Bill entitled an Act to enable the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to grant approval for the development and operation of a strategic gas reserve for the purpose of securing the State’s energy supply in case of emergency, for that purpose to disapply the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Planning and Development Act 2024 and certain provisions of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011) in relation to such development; to give effect to Article 6(3) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, and Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment in relation to such development; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Last updated 28 July 2026
- Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Primary
- First StageDáil
- Second StageDáil
- Committee StageDáil
- Report StageDáil
- Fifth StageDáil
- Second StageSeanad
- Committee StageSeanad
- Report StageSeanad
- Fifth StageSeanad
- EnactedEnacted