Local senator and activists warn LNG plans could undermine anti-fracking legacy in Leitrim

Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove has warned that proposed plans to allow Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure in Ireland could undermine years of anti-fracking campaigning led by communities in Leitrim.

The Senator made the comments last week during a briefing she hosted in Leinster House on Wednesday, June 19th, attended by TDs and Senators. 

The meeting, organised by Senator Cosgrove in her role as Labour Party spokesperson on Rural and Community Development, the Gaeltacht and Workers’ Rights, focused on why Ireland should reject LNG infrastructure.

“This briefing highlighted the compelling economic, social, legal and public health reasons to avoid the importation of LNG into Ireland,” Senator Cosgrove said. “LNG is a flammable, explosive and environmentally damaging fossil fuel.”

She added that LNG is largely made up of methane, a potent greenhouse gas “much more climate-warming than existing gas supplies, and even coal.”

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Senator Cosgrove was joined at the event by Leitrim Independent Councillor Eddie Mitchell, a member of Love Leitrim, and climate activist Dearbhla Richardson of Fridays for Future.

Cllr Mitchell, who has been a leading figure in the campaign to ban fracking in Ireland, warned that importing LNG sourced through fracking would mean that Irish people would have no grounds upon which to ban fracking within the country.

Dearbhla Richardson spoke of the health risks associated with fracking and warned that future climate fines and long-term contracts with fossil fuel companies could carry “staggering” financial costs for the State, according to senator Cosgrove.

The event coincided with a climate and peace camp outside Leinster House, which Senator Cosgrove supported.

She criticised the Government’s decision to lift a moratorium on LNG development, claiming the move had only served to reopen a private planning application.

“The message from the speakers and the various groups attending the camp was very clear,” she said.

“The promise of a State-led, not-for-profit, emergency reserve LNG terminal is a red herring. It is not going to happen,” she said. “The State-led narrative is a Trojan Horse intended to allow profit-greedy, fossil-fuel giants into the Irish energy market.”

She warned that fracked gas imports could open the door to onshore gas extraction in places like Leitrim, despite Ireland’s previous stance.

“It is an expensive, dirty, dangerous and unnecessary fossil fuel that will play havoc with our climate commitments,” she said.

Senator Cosgrove called on the Government to reinstate the moratorium on LNG and reject any attempt to introduce fracked gas into the Irish energy system.

“We cannot allow, and we will not allow, LNG to be accepted into the Irish energy mix in Shannon, Leitrim or anywhere else,” she said.

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