Campaigners rally at Cork City Hall in protest against LNG terminals
Organised by the environmental group Not Here Not Anywhere (NHNA), the demonstration featured banners reading 'No LNG Terminals' and chants of 'Flooded Lee, rising seas, we say no to LNG.'
Campaigners warned that the Government's reversal of a ban on fracked gas imports earlier this year has opened the door to new fossil fuel projects along Ireland's coast — including the Port of Cork.
The protest supports a motion submitted to Cork City Council by Green Party Councillor Oliver Moran, which calls on the Council to oppose any LNG infrastructure and instead prioritise large-scale renewable energy.
The motion is due to be debated in September by the Council's Environment, Water & Amenities Strategic Policy Committee.
It states: 'That, as a Mission City to be climate neutral by 2030, Cork City Council is opposed to the development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals, as new fossil fuel infrastructure, and will work to ensure no LNG terminals are developed in the Cork region; and shall focus its support on the development of large-scale renewable infrastructure for energy security instead.'
"Cork City Council is a member of regional energy stakeholder groups and an EU Mission City to be climate neutral by 2030," said Mr Moran.
"Cork's future is in renewables. It's why the Port of Cork is investing €100m in a deepwater berth dedicated to servicing offshore energy.
"Offshore energy will bring jobs and energy security tied to Cork. LNG will bring neither of those."
Niamh Guiry, an NHNA campaigner and PhD researcher, added: "The people of Cork have made it repeatedly clear, we do not want and cannot afford any new fossil fuel infrastructure in the midst of a widespread and devastating climate crisis.
"We are at a pivotal point in history. Now is the time for radical action and political bravery."
She urged Cork City Council to pass the motion in September, calling it a critical signal to Government that the fossil fuel era must come to an end.
Campaigners argue that LNG terminals would lock Ireland into high-carbon energy for decades, risking failure to meet 2030 climate targets and potential EU fines of up to €26bn.
A recent EPA report also identified 115 climate-related risks to Ireland, with Cork seen as particularly exposed.
They also pointed to a landmark advisory opinion issued last week by the International Court of Justice, which found that states may breach international law by supporting fossil fuel development or subsidies.
'It's unthinkable that Ireland could be locked into fossil fuel infrastructure and dependency for years to come," Ms Guiry added.
"Passing anti-LNG motions that champion a just transition and the development of widespread renewable energy infrastructure like the one before Cork City Council is hugely important."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Slovenia bans imports from Israeli settlements over Gaza war
Slovenia has introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and approved an additional aid package for Palestinians in Gaza, the government said in a statement. "The government today banned the import of goods originating from settlements in the occupied territories, including a ban on circumventing the ban on these imports," the statement on the government website said. The statement did not specify whether the ban refers to all goods produced in the territories or just Israeli goods. The Slovenian government also instructed the competent ministries to consider banning the export of goods from Slovenia intended for these Israeli-occupied settlements. "Israeli government's actions, including the construction of illegal settlements, expropriations, the forced displacement of the Palestinian population, the destruction of their serious and repeated violations of international humanitarian law," Prime Minister Robert Golob said in statement quoted by the STA news agency. "These actions not only threaten the lives and dignity of the Palestinian population, but also the foundations of the international order," it added. The news agency said the volume of goods affected is extremely low at under €2,000 in 2023. A demonstration was held in the capital Ljubjana to draw attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal. The Israeli government deems settlements legal under its own laws, while some so-called "outposts" are illegal but often tolerated and sometimes later legalised. Last month, a cross-party Oireachtas foreign affairs committee report on the Occupied Territories Bill "strongly recommends" services as well as goods should be included in any Government legislation. The committee has been tasked in recent weeks with drawing up a pre-legislative scrutiny report on the long-awaited Occupied Territories Bill, which will include a series of non-binding recommendations that will subsequently be considered by Government. The question of whether the bill should be limited to goods from what it describes as the Occupied Territories or be extended to services as well has been a key subject of debate in recent weeks due to the potential economic impact such a move could cause.
The Journal
12 hours ago
- The Journal
Ireland's young population is keeping public spending down - for now, says IFAC
IRELAND'S YOUNG POPULATION means the State is spending less on pensions and healthcare than other European countries, according to the budgetary watchdog. As a result, the Irish State needs to prepare for a growth in spending as demographics shift and the demand for public services increase. Analysis by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) found that while Ireland appeared to be a low-tax, low-spend country, public spending is low relative to national income. The fiscal advisory body said this was mainly due to Ireland's young population and a buoyant economy. But as Ireland's population ages, public spending on pensions and healthcare is expected to rise, IFAC said, bringing it closer to levels in other European countries. Currently, Irish Government spending is 3.3% of national income lower than other European countries, while it collects 4.7% of national income, or €2,600 per person. When excess corporation tax from several multinationals located in Ireland is excluded, Ireland collects 8.6% of national income or €4,700 per person less than other European countries. Advertisement Employers and employees in Ireland pay less in social insurance than is typical across Europe. The fiscal watchdog said that additional pressures will be put on the budget in the years ahead, driven by an ageing population and climate change. Since 2015, the number of people aged 65 years and over in Ireland has increased by 37%. The Government's new savings funds – the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund – will help cover some of the costs but will not cover them all. Author of the report Niall Conroy said Ireland needed to prepare for higher levels of public spending in the future. 'Ireland collects a lower level of government revenue than most other high-income European countries,' he said. 'This is mostly driven by social insurance paid both by employees and employers. When exceptional corporation tax is excluded, government revenue in Ireland is 4,700 euro per person lower than the European average. 'As a result, the Government will need to raise additional revenue or reallocate existing spending. 'The more the Government saves today, the easier it will be to navigate these challenges.'
Extra.ie
14 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Ireland isn't saving enough for ageing population
The Government's savings funds won't be enough to deal with an ageing population, the State spending watchdog has warned. Ireland will have to raise the pension age to relieve some of the pressure, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council said. The Government's fund to plan for the future – the Future Ireland Fund – will only cover between a quarter and a half of the costs of our 'rapidly' ageing population, an IFAC report stated. 'An ageing population is the biggest budgetary challenge Ireland faces over the medium term. One in 6.5 people currently is aged 65 or over. This is set to increase to almost one out of every three people by 2057,' it said. The Government's savings funds won't be enough to deal with an ageing population, the State spending watchdog has warned. Pic: Shutterstock In addition, 'those in retirement are also expected to live longer', it added, which is going to put additional pressure on hospitals and other services, and cost the State more in pensions. It noted the Government is reluctant to increase the pension age, which will cost us billions in the future. 'Despite these pressures, the Government opted not to increase the pension age,' it said. 'While other countries are experiencing ageing populations, Ireland is facing a more rapid change. In budgetary terms, this means more demand for healthcare, long-term care and pensions. It will also mean slower growth in the economy and hence in tax revenues.' Pic: Shutterstock It added: 'Action sooner rather than later will ultimately be less costly. Research by the Fiscal Council has shown that acting sooner to manage ageing challenges would cost less than 40% of what it would if actions were delayed.' The IFAC warned that the cost of looking after older people 'will fall much more heavily on the next generation of taxpayers' unless the Government takes action. It said the Coalition must raise extra revenue or cut spending to insulate the economy from these challenges. According to the IFAC, the State is collecting €2,600 less in taxes per person compared to other European countries. This rises to €4,700 a person once 'exceptional' corporation tax receipts are excluded. Pic: Getty Images Speaking to Niall Conroy, author of the report and acting chief economist with the IFAC, said the body is 'agnostic' on how the Coalition should safeguard the Exchequer. Mr Conroy said the Government should continue to set aside corporation tax revenues while the economy is performing well, noting that saving more now will mean fewer 'adjustments' later. The IFAC paper, which assesses tax and spending levels relative to other high-income EU countries, comes amid uncertainty over our finances in the short and medium term. Ireland has fewer older people compared to other countries, with 15.5% aged 65 and above, versus a European average of 20.9%. Pic: File 'However, this is expected to change… the share of over-65s by 2050 is projected to be higher than any high-income European country today,' the paper said. This change will mean more spending on pensions and healthcare, and will 'gradually bring our public spending closer to levels seen in other European countries'. The IFAC noted that one area where Ireland is already a relatively high spender is healthcare. 'As the population ages, this is likely to rise further, making Ireland even more of an outlier,' it said. Our health spending is significantly greater than that of an average high-income EU country of similar size. A 'heavy reliance on hospital care' is cited as a 'major driver' of big health costs, plus spending on outpatient services, which is higher than in other countries. The IFAC also pointed to a lack of infrastructure – Ireland has 50% less healthcare infrastructure, such as hospital beds, than other high-income European countries. Improving efficiency and productivity will be key to managing increased healthcare costs, it said. 'Shifting more care from hospitals to community settings… could help reduce costs. Recent IMF analysis also indicates that further gains in healthcare efficiency are possible,' it stated. More investment will be needed to meet climate targets, the IFAC noted. The transition from fossil fuels will mean Government revenue streams, including excise duties and the carbon tax, are expected to diminish, further narrowing the tax base
