The climate activist group Not Here Not Anywhere (NHNA) called on the government to urgently pass the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Free Bill before the Dáil Éireann dissolves, after it was drawn to move forward to the second stage.
Launched in February 2022 by the Green Party Teachta Dála (TD) Neasa Hourigan and climate activist group Not Here Not Anywhere (NHNA), the bill would halt the granting of planning permission for LNG terminals in Ireland and prevent the importation of fracked gas through LNG.
The bill would also protect the public from the security and safety risks of LNG terminals, which require “large, disruptive and dangerous infrastructure” and pose safety risks for local communities like vapour release, flash and jet fires.
NHNA and more than 30 environmental and social justice groups have emphasised the pressing need for this bill for the climate, local communities and for the country’s energy security. Furthermore, over 45 Irish and international organisations have urged the government to evaluate the risk these terminals pose to the safety and security of Irish communities.
LNG terminals emit ozone and carbon monoxide through the loading and unloading of tankers, which contributes to severe respiratory problems, according to a press release from NHNA.
“The Green Party must take a stand and fast-track the LNG Free Bill that was introduced by their party colleague, Neasa Hourigan TD, in February of 2022,” Dylan Murphy from NHNA said in the release.
NHNA said this comes at a “crucial time,” when American energy company New Fortress Energy has just won its appeal against An Bord Pleanala’s decision to deny planning permission for the proposed Shannon LNG terminal in County Kerry due to the absence of a legislative ban. Additionally, the government is also pushing to expedite LNG projects through the new Planning Act.
The advancement of the LNG Free Bill provides an opportunity for the Green Party to fulfil their Programme for Government promise, which emphasises the importance of lowering emissions and building a sustainable energy future.
The Programme for Government, published in 2020 reads that “As Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, we do not believe that it make sense to develop LNG gas import terminals importing fracked gas. Accordingly, we shall withdraw the Shannon LNG terminal from the EU Projects of Common Interest list in 2021. We do not support the importation of fracked gas and shall develop a policy statement to establish that approach”.
