The Cabinet has signed off on a controversial plan to build a gas reserve off the coast of Ireland.

The floating facility will store liquified natural gas (LNG) and will be used as the country’s emergency reserve.

Liquified natural gas has long been opposed by some - but the government insists the terminal is necessary to act as a “gas reserve” as the country transitions to clean energy.

Ireland is one of five EU member states that has no domestic gas storage.

"Energy security basis"

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it would only be used in the event of other energy supplies being disrupted.

“This is on an energy security basis,” he said.

“If anything was to happen, gas connectors and so forth, the economy would be in very serious difficulty, and society would be.

“So, when we've met with officials in the Department, they're very clear this emergency security measure is absolutely required, and it's on the grounds of energy security that this proposal is being developed.”

The development of the fossil fuel terminal directly contradicts the Government’s climate targets.

Simon Harris talking to the media before cabinet meeting at Government Buildings. 04/03/2025 Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

However, Simon Harris said that while Ireland will become a leader in terms of exporting clean fuels, the terminal is needed as a backup.

“Right now, and particularly in the world in which we're living, energy security really matters, and making sure that we continue to have energy supplies is one of the most important duties of any Government,” he said.

“So the efforts we're taking today are efforts that are very much transitionary, making sure that we provide a safe, reliable supply of energy in the here and now, to keep the lights on, to keep the heat going whilst actually moving to renewable energy.”

Climate change campaigners are raising concerns about the gas, with People Before Profit calling it the “worst fossil fuel in the world”.

People Before Profit-Solidarity Paul Murphy talking to the media on the plinth at the Dail (Leinster House). 04/03/2025 Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

The party’s Paul Murphy said it would be very damaging to the environment.

“I’d like to point to the idea that we're just going to have this LNG floating out here, and if we ever need it, we'll be able to use it and it's just going to kind of sit out there,” he said.

“You're going to have to replace it five or six times a year because of boil off.

“It's going to simply evaporate into our atmosphere, causing significant damage in terms of climate change, and they're going to have to refill it five or six times a year, so that the consequences of this, in terms of climate damage, is quite severe.”

This news comes as the Government is being warned by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council that Ireland is likely to incur “severe” EU fines because the Government is on track to miss its climate targets.

Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin talking to the media. 04/03/2025 Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie