Bríd Smith TD: Move a step in the right direction but climate crisis means much more needed
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has welcomed the Government announcement of a legislative ban on oil and gas exploration. The TD, whose Climate Emergency Bill was blocked by the previous Government, had sought to enact a similar legislative ban in 2018.
Reacting to Minister Ryan’s announcement, she said: “I welcome this decision and I am delighted for the climate movement that fought for this over the last three years, but frankly the debate has moved on and a ban on future licences alone does not reflect the scale of the crisis facing humanity.”
The TD pointed out that several licences are with the Department awaiting decisions on renewals, extensions or conversions into different forms of licences and permits.
She warned today that: “Some of the existing licences are good till 2034 and possible beyond and some are facing renewal immediately. We need the Minister to declare that he will use his existing powers to refuse to renew these and more widely we need to ensure that the fossil fuel industry get the clear message that the game is up- that means a complete ban on LNGs and related infrastructure.”