Skipping scrutiny on gas reserve bill is unacceptable
Skipping scrutiny on gas reserve bill is unacceptable - The Labour Party
Labour’s Climate Spokesperson Ciarán Ahern TD has said that reports the Minister for Climate, Darragh O’Brien is seeking to waive pre legislative scrutiny of the Strategic Gas Reserve Bill are deeply concerning, warning that legislation of this scale and consequence must not be rushed through the Oireachtas without proper examination.
Deputy Ahern said he has written to the Oireachtas committee to object in the strongest possible terms and called on Government to immediately commit to full pre legislative scrutiny of the Bill.
Deputy Ahern said:
“This proposal to waive pre legislative scrutiny is simply unacceptable. I have written to the Oireachtas Committee to state my objection in the strongest possible terms. Pre legislative scrutiny exists for a reason. It is an essential safeguard, particularly when we are dealing with legislation that will shape Ireland’s energy system, our climate obligations and our emissions trajectory for decades to come.
“Government has already given approval in principle for the development of a State led strategic gas emergency reserve. It is also clear that compliance with EU standards and regulation is a key consideration. None of that, however, justifies cutting corners or bypassing scrutiny.
“The Bill in question is the Strategic Gas Reserve Bill, which would allow the Government to establish a State led floating LNG terminal in Clare. This follows the Government’s decision to overturn the previous ban on fracked gas. That decision alone has already had far reaching consequences, including reopening the door for commercial operators. Shannon LNG, for example, is now awaiting a decision in January, having previously been refused permission due to the fracked gas ban.
“This is precisely why full scrutiny matters. We are at a critical juncture in our climate journey. Ireland has legally binding emissions reduction targets and a clear obligation to move away from polluting fuels. Decisions taken now will either accelerate that transition or undermine it. Legislation of this importance cannot be rushed through the Oireachtas behind closed doors without rigorous analysis, expert evidence and full political accountability.
“The climate crisis is the existential challenge of our time. It threatens our homes, our health, our economy, our way of life and our planet. Every year of delay increases the cost of inaction and narrows our options. That reality demands careful, transparent and democratic decision making, not fast tracking and procedural shortcuts.
“I am calling on the Minister to step back from any attempt to waive pre legislative scrutiny and to respect the role of the Oireachtas. Government must allow committees to properly examine this Bill, hear from experts, test the assumptions being made and fully assess the long term climate and energy consequences. Anything less would be a dereliction of responsibility and Labour will continue to oppose any effort to rush this legislation through without the scrutiny it clearly deserves.”