The move would mean the planning application for the €900m liquefied natural gas facility on the Shannon estuary would be made directly to the Minister. Photograph: Getty ImagesA proposed law would give the Minister for the Environment power to decide all planning and consent applications relating to the State’s intended gas reserve. The move would mean the planning application for the €900 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on the Shannon estuary would be made directly to Darragh O’Brien. The proposed legislation, the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve Bill, is separate from the proposed Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (Operational) Bill, which is also being prepared and is intended to set out how the LNG facility would be managed. Any decision he made would be open to challenge by judicial review under the existing planning law.

Source: The Irish Times January 20, 2026 07:00 UTC