Shannon LNG policy
Bríd Smith questioned the Taoiseach about a possible split between Government partners over Shannon LNG and the Minister's intervention with An Bord Pleanála. The Taoiseach said he would not usually intervene in planning decisions and restated Government policy against importing fracked LNG.
We have a serious difference emerging between the Green Party and Fine Gael at least, as we are not sure of the Taoiseach's position, on the question of liquefied natural gas, LNG. The Minster for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, intervened with An Bord Pleanála and told it that under no circumstances should the Shannon LNG project be given planning permission because it would be in opposition to the programme for Government and the commitment not to import LNG. The Minister believes the project would not make sense because it would conflict with the programme for Government. The Tánaiste said last week, as quoted in the newspapers at the weekend, that the Government would not prevent the Shannon LNG project from going ahead if it received planning permission. I need to know what the Taoiseach's position is. We also need to know what conflict is emerging over these defining issues for the time we are living in and if the Government is going to lock us into a fossil fuel future by allowing Shannon LNG to go ahead.
Comment on this
As Taoiseach, I would rarely intervene in decisions An Bord Pleanála has to make. I never do, in any event, as a public representative. The Government policy statement, which was approved and published on 18 May 2021, sets out that the Government does not support the importation of LNG fracked gas. That is the policy statement on the importation of fracked gas. The Deputy is probably familiar with that statement. I do not need to read it in detail here because I do not think I have the time to do so. That outlines the position.
Comment on this
I asked the Taoiseach what the difference was between him and the Tánaiste on the decision taken by the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan.