This will be the only realistic means
for ordinary people to make an observation to this so-called Strategic
Infrastructure planning application, given that a submission cannot be done
online and costs €50 per submission.
What is different about this petition
is that the comments and names are visible for everyone to see and that makes
the process very public.
Update on the Global Ban
A big thanks to all who helped get
over 760 groups worldwide to supported a
call for a global ban on fracking being proposed by Ireland at the United
Nations General Assembly on climate-mitigation, public-health,
environmental-protection and human-rights grounds.
On May 18th, 2021, the Irish
Government published its long-awaited policy statement
against the importation of fracked gas as was agreed in the 'Programme
For Government 2020'. We are delighted with the statement in
this historic, world's-first, anti-fracked gas import policy statement that "the Government will
work with international partners to promote the phasing out of fracking at an
international level"
and now want the government to move immediately to implement this new policy by
agreeing to propose a resolution calling for a global ban on fracking at the
United Nations.
The policy statement declared that “the highest risk
of fracked gas being imported into Ireland on a large-scale would be via liquefied
natural gas (LNG) terminals, if any were to be constructed.” It went on to
state that “pending the outcome of the review of the security of energy
supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, it would not be
appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted
or proceeded with”.
Just over three months later, however,
on August 27th, 2021, without waiting for the energy review to be
completed, New Fortress Energy insisted on reapplying for an offshore LNG terminal on
the Shannon Estuary in Ireland (called Shannon LNG) which would be used
exclusively for the importation of US fracked gas. We think that the company is
trying to take advantage of its status as a European-Union-listed Project of
Common Interest (PCI) which, under Article 7 of the PCI regulation 347/2013, has the “status of the highest national
significance possible and be treated as such in permit granting processes”.
This status is due to expire in early 2022.
This application for a US fracked gas
import terminal in Ireland must be stopped as it will undermine our
attempts to get Ireland to propose a call for a global ban on fracking at the
United Nations General assembly.
On July 27th, 2021, The Irish Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, made the following written
reply in the Dáil:
“The Programme for Government makes
clear that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas.
Following upon a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government
published a Policy Statement on May 2021 which outlines both constraints and
opportunities for Government action in this area, including in the context of
Ireland's obligations as a Member State of the European Union.
In
relation to the United Nations General Assembly it is important that any
proposed Resolution garner sufficient Member State support to be passed by a
clear majority in the General Assembly. At this time I do not believe
from our soundings on the ground that this support currently exists. A failed
Resolution would set back progress on this important issue. The work of
building support must continue.
Nevertheless,
the Government is committed to taking action in ways which are consistent with
the proposed Resolution. In the short term, the revision of the European
Union’s Gas Directive and Gas Regulation provides an opportunity to build
consensus within the EU, itself an important constituency for any work at the
UN.
Separately,
upcoming climate related events provide an opportunity to advance understanding
of international dynamics around this proposal. Such events include the United
Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy in September 2021, the Conference of
Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in
October 2021 (COP15), the Conference of Parties to United National Framework
Convention on Climate Change in November 2021 (COP26), the Conference of
Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (date TBC),
and the United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in 2022. This will
complement Ireland's engagement on the Climate and Security agenda during our
term on the Security Council.”
At this point in time, the best way for
us to continue “building support” for a global ban on fracking being
proposed at the United Nations is to stop the Shannon LNG/New Fortress Energy
US fracked gas import terminal from getting development consent in spite of
stated Irish Government policy. A win here would send out a message to the
entire world that Ireland does not want to be an overseas market for US fracked
gas.
We are therefore objecting in the
strongest manner possible to any development consent being granted to Shannon
LNG on planning, climate-mitigation, public-health, environmental-protection
and human-rights grounds and need your support.
We need the petition to be seen
everywhere please.
Please get back to us if you have any
questions and thank you in advance for any help you can give with this.
John McElligott
‘Safety Before LNG’
Contact: John McElligott
Tel: 087-2804474 [email protected] www.SafetyBeforeLNG.ie |