No policy U-turn on LNG terminal says NW Green party's Gallagher

The local branch of the Green Party takes issue with comments made in an article in last week’s Leitrim Observer suggesting that the party has changed its mind around Liquified Natural Gas terminals.

Bláithín Gallagher, the chairperson of the SLNRSD North West Green Party constituency group, stated that: “The issues raised by Love Leitrim in the article on April 12 notably that “Minister Eamon Ryan and the government are considering a major U-turn in relation to Liquefied Natural Gas Terminals” stems from an article in the Sunday Business Post which is misleading in its commentary about the government’s plans.”

Bláithín goes on to say; “The Green Party is opposed to any actions which will prolong our dependence on fossil fuels or promote the use of fracked gas. Any measures proposed to improve energy security must conform to our legal obligations for emissions reduction.

“An energy security review, to examine how Ireland can reduce its vulnerability to energy shortages, is currently being carried out. The Green Party knows that the best way to minimise our susceptibility to such shortages is to reduce our reliance on imports of fossil fuels from abroad and this includes gas.

“As a result of the ongoing work of the current government, with the rapid rollout of solar and onshore wind, it is expected that over the next three years, this country will shift our electricity generation from using coal and gas to much more reliance on renewables. Significant progress is being made in this area.

“The first large offshore wind farms should come online by 2028. By 2030 we will be running about 80% of our electricity system on renewable electricity and will be able to store excess renewable power through green hydrogen and the increased use of battery storage.

“The review is likely to suggest key measures such as an additional ability to use secondary fuels in power stations, curbing increases in gas demand and accelerating the reduction in gas demand through more renewable gas and electricity. However, as we make the transition to renewable energy sources, we will continue to depend on gas in the short to medium term.

“The energy security review is examining what potential backup storage options will be available in case of a gas supply disruption from the UK.

“However, it is essential to understand that any measures suggested to enhance energy security must align with our legally-binding climate targets, refrain from committing us to long-term fossil fuel infrastructure, and avoid promoting the usage of fracked gas. Any recommendations must also be economically viable and make financial sense.”

The Green Party Constituency Group's Energy spokesperson Johnny Gogan and former chair of Love Leitrim welcomed the re-stating of the party's opposition to fracking.

“A commercial facility would only open the door to the importation of fracked gas, most likely from badly affected communities in the United States. In addition, it would lead, almost certainly, to Ireland becoming an import/export hub for fracked gas into the British and European energy market”.

Bláithín Gallagher further added: “Minister Eamon Ryan and the Green Party do not believe that a commercial LNG facility would satisfy these criteria as it would promote and expand our use of gas and increase our dependence on gas imports. This would make us more vulnerable than before.

“Moreover, by the time a long-term commercial facility is built, Ireland's gas consumption is expected to have declined significantly. Therefore, such a facility would not make sense from either a climate or economic perspective.”