5 days ago
Campaigners rally at Cork City Hall in protest against LNG terminals
Climate activists, local councillors, and concerned residents gathered outside Cork City Hall this week to protest against potential plans for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the region.
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."
