A Kerry Fine Gael MEP has called for clarity on the government’s position on LNG development in Ireland.
MEP Seán Kelly was reacting to the news that An Coimisiún Pleanála has now said it hopes to decide on the planning application for the proposed Shannon LNG development by January 2026.
MEP Kelly described the Irish planning system as totally inept, with ridiculous and indefensible delays.
Shannon LNG is seeking permission to build an LNG terminal and power plant on the Tarbert/Ballylongford landbank.
The project was refused permission in 2023, but this refusal was quashed by the High Court, and An Coimisiún Pleanála is now deciding on the application again.
The national planning body has delayed making a decision on several occasions, including earlier this year when An Coimisiún Pleanála asked the Minister for the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, to clarify the government’s position on LNG.
The previous government policy was one of the reasons planning was refused the first time.
Kerry Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly has said the government’s current policy in favour of a state-led strategic gas emergency reserve, remains ambiguous, and he wants the Minister to provide clarity on it.
He said we still don’t know if this government, which includes his own party, supports competitive market delivery of LNG, or if this will be a state-only project.
He said Ireland needs a second gas entry point, due to over-reliance on the volatile European gas markets.
MEP Seán Kelly also criticised the national planning body for repeated delays in deciding on the application.
An Coimisiún Pleanála confirmed last week that it cannot decide on the application until 2026 due to what it called the complexity of the issues.
MEP Kelly said this is not a new project, and the so-called complexities have been discussed at length for years.
The Fine Gael MEP added the totally inept planning system has paralysed a project of strategic national importance, and the endless delays are undermining Ireland’s energy security.
He called on the planning authority to expedite its decision and not leave the project to continue in limbo.
