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FINE GAEL MEP Maria Walsh has defied her party colleagues in the European Parliament today and supported a motion to veto a number of energy projects, including the controversial Shannon LNG terminal in Co Kerry.
The parliament voted on a motion to veto the list because it contains 55 fossil fuel projects.
In total, 443 voted down the motion, with 169 MEPs voting in favour of the veto.
The motion had been tabled by 100 MEPs, including Irish MEPs Clare Daly, Mick Wallace, the Green Party’s Grace O’Sullivan and Ciaran Cuffe , Luke Ming Flanagan and Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy.
In a statement to TheJournal.ie, Walsh said:
“I am opposed to fracking and like many other people was pleased when the process was outlawed by the Fine Gael Government in 2017.
“As yet, the long term consequences of fracking are unknown but most likely it is significantly damaging to our planet and to people’s health.
“There are many reasons why fracking is bad for the environment and public health ranging from the contamination of drinking water to the use of highly toxic and carcinogenic products in the process,” she said.
In relation to public health, she said she was alarmed to read the documented negative health impacts, particularly those on pregnancy and birth outcomes.
The impact it has on our environment means its use is something I cannot condone.
I want to thank everyone who made contact with my office to voice their concerns.
I will continue to listen to my constituents and my own conscience on all issues voted on in the European Parliament.
In the midst of a Climate Emergency, I firmly believe we need to be looking through all issues with an environmental lens.
I believe we need to invest in sustainable renewable energy, not fossil fuels.
Despite Walsh voting in favour of the motion rejecting the projects, her Fine Gael colleague in the parliament, Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly defended his support for the list of priority projects across the EU.
As well as Shannon LNG, there are three other Irish projects on this list, which he said are important.
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“There are 150 projects across Europe, there are four or five in Ireland – Shannon is one of them, the hyrdropower one in Tipperary, the interconnecter with France and also the interconnecters with the United Kingdom.
“So if you were to reject one, you reject them all and that makes no sense whatsoever. ”
TheJournal.ie was informed by the party that the party’s position is outlined above by MEP Kelly.
It is understood that MEP Mairead McGuinness did not vote today as she was chairing plenary votes at the time.
Opposition parties, Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo, and Extinction Rebellion activists are among those who have demanded that the government should drop its support for the Shannon Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal plan because of its proposed use of fracked gas.
The last government insisted that Ireland needs energy security in future, and that the proposed LNG terminal could be part of the answer to that.
The gas terminal was included on a list of EU ‘Projects of Common Interest’, which allows it to gain access to funding and a fast-track planning process.
If it’s constructed, it is proposed that the project will form part of an EU gas interconnector scheme from running north-south from Scotland to Malta.
Speaking to EuroParl Radio, Grace O’Sullivan, MEP for Ireland South, said:
Just last year or in the last two years Ireland banned fracked gas being taken in Ireland and there was a real jubilation there and Fine Gael really strongly, they brought that legislation to the Dáil and to the Seanad and there was really great excitement that it passed.
“To then turn around and actually allow the fracked gas come in through the back door, as I call it, into Shannon is definitely the wrong way.”
O’Sullvan said it is important that the European Parliament prioritises renewable projects and that “public money is spent in those areas and not going down a regressive path”.
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What is the Shannon LNG terminal and why have Cher and Mark Ruffalo called on Leo Varadkar not to back it?
What is Shannon LNG?
The Shannon LNG is designed to be a natural gas terminal.
The terminal, which is being proposed by US company New Fortress Energy, would be constructed in Ballylongford, Co Kerry, and would be the first of its kind in Ireland.
LNG terminals work by importing natural gas in a liquefied state at an extremely low temperature – making it easier to transport – and then turning it back into gas for use in a new market.
An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the project in 2008, but that has since expired. However, developers are currently considering lodging a new application.
In a statement, Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher said in order to receive European funds, the projects on the list will have to support the European Union’s ambitions under the Green deal.
“Quite rightly, there was significant concern expressed by many in Ireland about the sustainability of some projects but with this announcement, we can be confident that all projects will now comply with the ambition of the European Green Deal,” he said.
“Ireland needs energy security. As an island nation, we cannot just hope for the best. We need a diverse and secure energy supply and many of the projects on the PCI list are essential to meeting that goal.”
Kelleher’s statement did not make specific reference to the Shannon LNG proposal.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment said “gas will continue to play a crucial part in the transition to a low carbon society – both at a European level and also here in Ireland as we move from 30% to 70% renewable electricity as part of the Climate Action Plan”.
In the context of concerns raised about the project, Minister Richard Bruton intends to ask the European Commission to review the relevant evidence on LNG in the context of adopting more ambitious climate targets. A review on the security of supply will investigate what fossil fuels are required, and how they are sourced, during the transition to a low carbon economy, added the department.
With additional reporting by Christina Finn
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@common sense: His opinion and yours managed to coincidentally align on one single anti-immigration topic and now you think he’s a great fella. That anti-elite and anti-establishment stance you had didn’t last long, did it?
@common sense: We badly need more politicians of the calibre of Michael McDowell, a man of integrity, which is more than can be said of the majority of politicians!
Congrats, Michael. The man who did more than anyone else to expose the flaws in the ill-judged referendum proposals has his mandate overwhelmingly re-affirmed.
@Peter O’Muiri: the man was the worst minister for justice in history…. destroy the courts system and the prison system with backward reforms that has left it in the state its in now
@Fergus O’Donnell: again he is to intelligent for that charade, that’s a puppets game micheal is possible the most intelligent educated of the lot of them, take care.
Great to hear, I didn’t like his politics but he speaks a lot of sense, called out the last two referendums early on and called out the madness of the hate speech bill. Good to see.
@Vincent Alexander: Like the credible housing policy FG have enacted for 14 years ? Ironic coming from someone who never who never has any credible comments..
@Vincent Alexander: Now we both know that’s not true.. you wouldn’t vote for ” the opposition” if hell froze over.. regardless of policies. So stop pretending this is a policy issue. As for credibility.. Is it credible our goverment negotiated a programme for government with a convicted criminal. A man our dear leader called on to resign when he was found by the tribunal to have been “profoundly corrupt to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking” ? The own one with credibility issues here is you ..
@Brian: If you are referring to SF you are correct, however there are other opposition parties that I would and have voted for. It is less than ideal to have to deal with Lowry but better than dealing with SF.
As regards the housing policy you in your wisdom could have predicted the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent knock on effect on the price of oil and the influx of refugees.
@Vincent Alexander: ” less than ideal ” ? It’s rank hypocrisy.. call it what it is. As for your list of excuses as to why FG haven’t put in place a credible/ successful housing strategy in 14 years.. you’re just peddling their spin for their failure. I find it remarkable that you talk of credibility yet whilst unable to deliver current housing targets you belive its credible for them to pledge to build 50k a year over next 5 years.. despite the fact the construction industry is telling them these targets are impossible because our grid and water/waste system simply can’t cope with those numbers. Of course the fact that our services infrastructure has been underfunded for decades is lost in you. None of what you are saying is credible.
@Brian: So the knock on effect of the Russian invasion is only spin. Ir is fact. Prior to that we had an influx of Northern “refugees” as a result of the terror campaign by the armed wing of SF. There was also a waste of money on extra security.
You are so good at predicting the future and making provision for the unknown can you predict the effect of Trump’s presidency I’ll have on our economy.
@Vincent Alexander: Unsurprisingly you haven’t addressed anything I’ve said. I’ve no idea why you’re waffling in about the Ukraine war.. or these “northern” refugees?? ( have you a figure for these BTW,? You’re just making stuff up at this stage) Ireland’s population has risen from 3.1 million in 2000 to 5.1 in 2025… these things are forecasted, as is the rise given by the CSO yesterday to a figure of 6.4m by 2042. This is well known Any goverment should be planning for the future based on these projections .FFGs neglect of our critical infrastructure for decades is huge factor in the construction industrys inability to now meet demmand as they play catch up. Complete policy failure has led us here. Sooner you and your ilk realise/admit that the better for everyone in this country.
@Brian: Yesterday the CSO did issue a prediction for a population increase but there was no prediction for the increase from 2000 to 2025. As regards the influx from the North figures are not available but they have a significant presence in border counties. The troubles in Sub Sahara Africa and the Ukraine have a significant effect on the housing crisis. The CSO could not have predicted these events and their impact on this country. Hindsight is a great tool for criticism.
I know it’s the wrong article but it has to be asked, why is the comments section closed on the Junior Ministerial appointments, surely The Journal is operating a type of Censorship with that, and aiding the Government.
@Setanta O’Toole: Yes it was great to see McDowell lose his seat to John Gormley and it is a pity McDowell couldn’t keep the promise he made at the time of his defeat to never seek public office again.
Congrats to Michael McDowell on getting re-elected. He’s probably the best politician in Ireland right now and his talents are wasted in the Seanad. He would make a great Taoiseach and is miles ahead of the current idiots in power right now. As Minister for Justice, he actually did his job properly and implemented some great reforms. He clamped down on anti-social behaviour with the Intoxicating Liquor Act and stopped the flow of anchor babies in Ireland by wisely ending birthright citizenship. He clamped down on illegal immigration in general and enforced deportation orders like Justice Ministers are supposed to do, with the number of illegal immigrants dropping to record lows under his term. His excellent leadership against the farcical referendums last year helped them get defeated.
@William Jennings: he became leader of the Progressive Democrats in 2006. No election. A political stroke. Scuttled out of the RDS after losing his seat and resigned as leader without consulting his colleagues. Tanaistas pension in his very large pocket. Waisted millions of tax payers money on Thornton Hall. Haughty and arrogant.
@Philip Kennedy: He lost one election in his entire career by 300 votes. I’d hardly say that’s a personal indictment on him. He donates all of his pension to charity so you’re dead wrong there. When it comes to Thornton Hall, you have to remember that land values fluctuate, and at the time, the purchase price was within market expectations. The decision was made based on expert assessments and the need for a strategically located site. Opponents failed to present viable alternative locations that met the same criteria in terms of size, accessibility, and suitability. The money was only wasted because after McDowell left office, the government decided to cancel the project completely. Considering the overcrowding we have right now, that was an extremely stupid decision by them.
And the Gravy train has its first passenger. If you ask me all politics should be voluntary position because the 3/4’s of the politicians in this country are only their position because of the huge salaries they get and a lot of politicians are political families too.
Delighted for Michael and hopefully that catherine zappone is kept out of anything on this island. Had enough of her “ideology” and her attempts to be funded by the taxpayer. Let Donald keep her and he is well able to Bury her wokeness.
While I voted for Michael McDowell I realise that Seanad Eireann is no longer fit for purpose. It is an archaic institution out of step with a modern democracy. The question in the previous referendum was obviously wrong as the electorate voted against it. A new referendum to change it to a directly elected chamber is now needed. Some of you may not agree with a second chamber but it is the only means of checks and balances we have.
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