Legislative Process
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Jennifer Whitmore (SD), Wicklow

Being able to object to developments is a core part of our democracy, it absolutely is. The projects need to be able to withstand those objections. The projects need to get those balances right. Oftentimes, the objectors are highlighting key flaws in the plans. It cannot be that we just throw them away because otherwise what is the point of the climate Act? Why bother bringing it in and why have it in legislation if the Government is just going to decide to set it aside whenever there is a project it wants to get through? Look at liquefied natural gas, LNG. This is exactly what the Government tried to do in relation to the strategic LNG legislation. It tried to disapply the climate Act there and essentially said that legislation would meet the obligations of the climate Act.
This is completely eroding the strength and the purpose of the climate Act at a time when we need to double down on climate action. It just beggars belief that the Minister is actually going to do this.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-16