Love Leitrim joins the call for fracked gas import ban to be included in Climate Bill
Reporter:
);
Love Leitrim have joined the Irish Centre For Human Rights, Friends Of The Earth Ireland, Safety before LNG, Belcoo Frack Free and FutureProof Clare in asking that a fracked gas import ban be included in the Climate Bill.
In a joint letter to the three government party leaders the groups are asking the government to implement the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action “that the Minister address in the Bill and/or revert to the Committee with a comprehensive plan to ban the importation of fracked gas and specifically to ban LNG terminals in Ireland within the year 2021 .
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore describes her first year in the Dáil as a very unusual introduction to national politics because of the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first-time TD won her seat in the 33rd Dail weeks before the first case of Covid-19 was officially confirmed in the Republic of Ireland. Like everyone else, the new Deputy had to quickly adapt to respond to the pandemic s impact on every aspect of life. When I was elected, my first thoughts were what do I want to achieve? What areas do I want to focus on? How do I get out around the county to make sure I listen to and meet with as many groups as possible to hear their concerns? . But really quickly, the whole world turned upside down for everyone and the focus moved to Covid. It s been a very unusual introduction to national politics.
New oil and gas exploration is to be outlawed under legislation being brought to Cabinet today.
A ban is already in place as part of government policy but putting it into law rules out a possible u-turn by future administrations.
Minister for Climate Action Eamon Ryan will seek approval from his Cabinet colleagues to insert the ban in the new Climate Bill currently being finalised.
It is a significant step in the move to end the use of fossil fuels. While a growing number of countries have announced bans on future exploration, few have cemented their intentions in law.
In September 2019, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced at the UN that all future oil exploration would cease but this was not put into legislation.
Ag Climatise, the latest climate strategy unveiled by the Department of Agriculture, is not fit for purpose and not in line with the programme for government, according to sustainability analyst Dr Hannah Daly.
In a damning assessment the UCC-based expert says âagriculture policy is not consistent with climate policyâ, while the âroadmapâ is relying on unproven technologies to stabilise methane.
A specific methane-reduction target must inserted into the Climate Bill, she insists.
The all-party Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action in a report published on Friday concludes âa separate mandatory target for biogenic methane is strongly advisedâ.
In launching Ag Climatise the department said it was setting a pathway for âclimate neutralâ agriculture. âOn the surface this seems deeply ambitious. But it clearly is not,â according to Dr Daly, who lectures on sustainable energy and works with MaREI energy institute.