Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas

The Programme for Government states that, as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG projects importing fracked gas. It also sets out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and committed to developing a policy statement to establish that approach.

Following detailed examination by the Office of the Attorney General, it has not proved possible to provide a legal basis for Ireland to legislate domestically for a ban on the import of fracked gas. The Attorney General has determined that:

It is not possible for Ireland under the European Treaties or EU Directive 2009/73/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas:

• to legislate for a ban on the import of fracked gas
• to ban the import into Ireland of fracked gas
• to prevent the processing of fracked gas in the State

In light of the legal determination, the actions set out in the Policy Statement below are considered to be the most realistic options available to ensure the Government fully delivers on the implementation of the Programme for Government.

The key actions which are provided for in the Policy Statement are:

• pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems being carried out by DECC, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with
• the Government will work with like-minded European States to promote and support changes to European energy laws – in particular the upcoming revision of the European Union’s Gas Directive and Gas Regulation – in order to allow the importation of fracked gas to be restricted
• the Government will work with international partners to promote the phasing out of fracking at an international level within the wider context of the phasing out of fossil fuel extraction.

Ireland is undertaking a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review will inform how Ireland can ensure we will have secure energy systems focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. The review will consider how the Government’s increased ambition in renewable energy and the development of new indigenous clean energy sources, such as hydrogen and biomethane, will reduce fossil energy use and how this can reduce risk associated with security of supply. It will also focus on ensuring we avoid the substantial risk of stranded assets, in particular fossil fuel infrastructure, in the context of the Government commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

The review will inform whether it would be appropriate, or not, to develop LNG terminals in Ireland and, if any such terminals were to be developed, whether they should only be in order to provide a contingency supply in the event of failure of existing natural gas supply infrastructure.