The CEO of Limerick Chamber, Michelle Gallagher, has today issued a statement welcoming the ruling by the High Court to quash a decision from An Bord Pleánala to refuse permission for the construction of a €650 million Liquefied Natural Gas terminal.
In her statement Mrs. Gallagher outlined Limerick Chamber’s support for the construction of an LNG terminal, primarily to focus on security of energy supply as Ireland transitions to more renewables. Mrs. Gallagher also outlined that Ireland is at odds with EU policy, highlighting that the EU has classified LNG as a transitionary fuel to help divest away from more carbon intensive energy production.
Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber said:
“This high court ruling serves to reinforce the major issues with the current planning process, in terms of resources, and exorbitant length of time needed to reach a decision. Issues surrounding our planning system is fast becoming a key influencer in investment decisions on a global stage. If Ireland Inc. is serious about attracting international private investment for energy, there needs to be a quicker turnaround on such strategic infrastructure. In failing to do so we will lose out on private investment and the state will have to pick up the tab and build projects instead.
In 2022, Limerick Chamber made a submission on the Review of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland’s Electricity and Natural Gas Systems. In our submission to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications we provided a comprehensive overview of why Ireland needed to adopt a proactive approach to LNG.
Ireland needs to remain nimble and agile to remain competitive in this globalised world. Too often we have seen conversations cropping up each Autumn and Winter focusing on potential blackouts and supply issues regarding energy. This approach is not cohesive to a competitive economy. That is why there needs to be a large effort in securing our energy security going forward through multiple sources. The current energy landscape in Ireland does not provide certainty for businesses or households and this is cause for concern.
While Limerick Chamber are fully committed to the advancement of onshore and offshore renewables, there is a huge question regarding what Ireland will be building in the interim to guarantee security of supply, and looking internationally, we believe other avenues, such as LNG, are hugely beneficial in an Irish context.
European Union energy policy is very clear on Europe’s stance towards gas. The EU has outlined that diversification of supply sources is paramount both for energy security and competitiveness. They have also made it an objective that all Member States will have access to liquid gas markets.
We know that countries in Western Europe that import LNG are far more resilient to possible supply interruptions than countries dependent on a single supplier. With Ireland heavily reliant on the UK for gas imports (77% of all gas), and with no gas storage capabilities in Ireland, we view EU policy as critical in this regard.
Therefore, it is critical that An Bord Pleanála view the remitted application through the lens of national security, and we are committed to working with New Fortress Energy to advance this project in whatever way we can “
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