3 February 2021 14:07 GMT Updated 8 February 2021 18:31 GMT in London
Ireland s oil and gas industry has welcomed a decision by the nation’s government to exclude current oil and gas licences from a new legislative ban on future exploration and extraction.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan obtained cabinet approval to introduce the legislation, which will be included in the Climate Action & Low Carbon Amendment Bill that is set to go before the Irish parliament on Wednesday.
Green Party leader Ryan said: The decision we have made today to legislate for a ban on new oil exploration and extraction will send a powerful message, within Ireland and internationally, that Ireland is moving away from fossil fuels towards a renewable future.
Ireland: Government to introduce legislation to ban new oil and natural gas exploration and extraction
03 Feb 2021
Ireland s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has obtained Cabinet approval to introduce legislation to ban licences for new oil and natural gas exploration. The legislation will be included in the
Climate Action and Low Carbon Amendment Bill which will go before the Oireachtas shortly.
The decision will ensure legislative effect is given to the commitment in the Programme for Government to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas, on the same basis as the 2019 decision in relation to oil exploration and extraction. The Minister gave effect to this commitment immediately, the Department no longer accepts new applications for exploration licences for natural gas or oil, nor will there be any future licensing rounds. The legislation will involve amendments to the Petroleum and Other Minerals Develop
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The Irish Offshore Operators’ Association welcomed the decision to honour existing licences. By Adam Daly Tuesday 2 Feb 2021, 4:22 PM Feb 2nd 2021, 4:22 PM 13,931 Views 58 Comments
Image: PA
Image: PA
CABINET HAS APPROVED the introduction of legislation to ban new licenses for oil and gas exploration, however, existing licences issued by the State will still be honoured under proposed plans.
Minister for Transport, Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan is hoping to bring about this change by adding a provision to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Amendment Bill which will go before the Oireachtas shortly.
Existing authorisations for exploration will remain in place and applications and activities, “remaining subject to technical, financial, and environmental assessments as appropriate,” according to the Departm
Government to introduce legislation to ban licences for new oil and gas exploration
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan has obtained cabinet approval to introduce legislation to ban licences for new oil and natural gas exploration.
The legislation will be included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Amendment Bill, which will go before the Oireachtas shortly.
Today’s (Tuesday, February 2) decision will ensure legislative effect is given to the commitment in the Programme for Government to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas, on the same basis as the 2019 decision in relation to oil exploration and extraction.