On 6th November, Green MEP for Dublin Ciarán Cuffe co-hosted a cross-party policy discussion on reforming the legislation which regulates the European List of Projects of Common Interest (PCI).

The controversial Shannon LNG terminal project, which aims to bring fracked gas from the US to Ireland, has been added to the PCI list by the current government.

Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe said:

“The Greens want Europe to be more ambitious in tackling climate change. That is why Green MEPs are seeking more scrutiny of the projects that the European Commission wants to fast-track. It does not make sense to prioritise projects that promote fracked gas or oil.

“At our cross-party breakfast briefing yesterday I was pleased that MEPs from Renew Europe, GUE/NGL, S&D and the Greens signed up to a request for enhanced scrutiny of these projects. Reaching the Paris goals will only be achieved if the European Commission up their game in climate ambition.

The current framework has allowed certain projects to benefit from accelerated planning permission and EU funding. The European Parliament will scrutinise the current PCI list which was proposed by the Members States before coming to a decision on whether to accept or reject the list.