EU Court judgement on Shannon LNG terminal 'far reaching'

The case will now reopen in the Irish High court for it to apply the interpretation

Supporters of Friends of the Irish Environment pictured at the Four Courts. Pic: Paddy Cummins/IrishPhotodesk.ie

The European Court of Justice has advised the Irish High Court that the 2018 extension by An Bord Pleanála to the 2008 planning permission for the construction of the controversial Shannon Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal must be considered as a new permit for the purposes of the Habitats Directive and must be subject to a new assessment under the Habitats Directive.

The proposed €500m gas terminal on the south bank of the River Shannon estuary in Ballylongford, Co. Kerry has been opposed by environmental groups who say the terminal will mean the importation of fracked gas from the US, despite fracking being banned in the State.