Tag Archives: fracking

There has been a mixed reaction to the decision by An Bord Pleanála issued its decision to finally reject planning permission for the proposed development of a €650 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) project for the Shannon Estuary between Tarbert and Ballylongford, This rejection comes after more than 15 years of campaigning by civil society organisations in Ireland and the US. The board based its decision on government policy, which is clear in its opposition to permanent LNG developments. It highlighted the Government’s Policy Statement 2021, which noted that it would not be appropriate to permit the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland pending the completion of the government’s energy security review. It also noted the independent technical analysis released as part of the Government’s public consultation on energy security 2022. This independent expert analysis was significant in that it rejected a commercial operated LNG facility as an energy security option given it would “likely result in the importation …

AT the June meeting of Clare County Council a motion was passed, asking the Government to seek a global ban on fracking at the United Nation’s General Assembly. The motion was put forward by Fianna Fáil’s Pat Hayes, Cillian Murphy and Tony O’Brien, and passed unanimously. Introducing the motion, Councillor Hayes said that Clare County Council has taken a strong stand against fracking in the past. “This motion is something that we’ve continuously talked about at Clare County Council over the years. We were the first Council in the country to propose a ban on fracturing gas and that led to a full national ban. “Here we’re looking to go further, looking for the Government to put a proposal in front of the UN to ban the fracturing of gas all over the world.” He said a number of Clare organisations are in favour of the motion and added, “I hope that this Council can be to the fore again …

The European Parliament has followed the lead given by Clare County Council by calling for a moratorium on fracking. In a close vote in the European Parliament last week, MEPs voted to urge member states “not to authorise any new operations involving the exploration or extraction of unconventional fuels within the EU until this is proven to be safe for the environment, citizens and workers”. MEP Marian Harkin, following the vote in Strasbourg, said “MEPs agreed that the use of fracking entails negative risks and consequences for the climate, the environment and public health and that it threatens the long-term decarbonisation goal of the EU. This was a strong statement by the Parliament but there is a sting in the tail. While the amendment itself was voted through, it was part of an overall report on Energy Security which was rejected by the Parliament.”

FRACKING Free Clare will host a screening of Gasland 2 in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis on Thursday night at 7.30pm, followed by a brief update on the current fracking situation in Ireland. A new Irish short film by Roisin Ní Gháirbhithabout fracking by  will also be shown. This film should be of interest to those living in Clare who want to find out more about fracking and its possible impact on the local area. Clare is one of many areas on the island of Ireland that has been earmarked for fracking.