BREAKOUT BOX 2: What the LNG Bill Actually Does

Creates a special fast‑track for one project The Bill disapplies the Planning and Development Acts, removing the Shannon LNG strategic reserve from the normal planning system. The Minister becomes the consenting authority; standard appeal routes fall away.
Switches off parts of environmental law Elements of the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477/2011) are disapplied, despite the site’s proximity to multiple Natura 2000 protected areas. A bespoke environmental assessment process is created with compressed timelines.
Narrows judicial review The Bill restricts who can challenge decisions, shortens deadlines, and limits cost awards.
Overrides the Climate Act Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, requiring public bodies to act consistently with carbon budgets, does not apply.
Creates a potential consumer levy The Bill allows the Minister to recover “expenses” from Gas Networks Ireland, which can in turn recover them from consumers. There is no cost cap and no cost‑benefit test.
Allows Ministerial direction of other bodies The Minister can instruct other consenting bodies to prioritise related applications.
Commits to infrastructure before defining how it will operate A second bill, not yet published, will determine operation, governance, and risk allocation.

Exceptional powers demand exceptional justification; this Bill offers neither.

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