The Irish government’s massive Planning and Development Bill is set for a final vote tonight, but it’s not without controversy. At over 900 pages, this legislation aims to overhaul Ireland’s planning system, promising faster decision-making and restructuring of key planning bodies.
However, environmental groups are raising alarms over a specific provision that designates liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities as “strategic infrastructure.” Friends of the Earth, a prominent environmental organization, is urging TDs to vote against the bill, arguing it “fast-tracks gas imports.”
The issue has even caught Hollywood’s attention, with actor Mark Ruffalo weighing in on social media. He claims the Green Party is “about to do something really terrible to the environment” by potentially allowing the import of fracked gas from the United States.
This comes at a sensitive time, as the High Court recently overturned a decision blocking the construction of an LNG terminal in Kerry. The Green Party, part of the coalition government, is facing criticism for seemingly contradicting their earlier promises to oppose fracked gas imports.
A poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth shows that 55% of respondents oppose building terminals to import fracked gas from the US, while 27% support it.
As the vote approaches, protesters are planning to gather at noon today, calling on the government to reconsider its stance on LNG terminals. The outcome of tonight’s vote could have far-reaching implications for Ireland’s energy policy and environmental commitments.
According to The Journal, this planning bill is the third-largest piece of legislation in Irish history, underlining its significance. The debate surrounding it highlights the ongoing tension between energy security concerns and environmental protection in Ireland’s policy-making.