Dáil passes Second Stage of Strategic Gas Reserve Bill with bespoke planning pathway

Bill Progresses to Committee Stage

The Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026 advanced to Second Stage in the Dáil on 25 June 2026, following speeches from multiple deputies including Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Timmy Dooley.

Purpose and Scope

The Bill establishes a bespoke consenting pathway for a strategic gas emergency reserve facility to be located at Cahiracon in County Clare. According to the Minister's address, the primary purpose is to enable a development consent application to be submitted later in 2026 to achieve accelerated project delivery.

The facility is described as a State-owned gas storage facility intended to store liquefied natural gas (LNG) for use only in the event of a disruption to gas supplies. The Bill specifies that it is not intended for commercial use and will not act as a new entry point for gas into the system.

Planning Framework Disapplied

The Bill disapplies the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Planning and Development Act 2024, and Regulation 2 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 in relation to the designated development.

According to the Minister, the conventional planning route was fully considered but bespoke legislation was chosen following advice from the Office of the Attorney General to reduce uncertainty over planning timelines and facilitate expedited delivery. The ongoing phased commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024 was cited as preventing the project from benefiting from required expedited decision timeframes.

Assessment Procedures

The Bill establishes an alternative environmental impact assessment and appropriate assessment procedure. These assessments will be carried out by An Coimisiún Pleanála within specified accelerated timelines. The Minister stated that An Coimisiún Pleanála will have 18 weeks from receipt of an application to make a final decision, with time spent waiting for further information from the applicant disregarded from this overall period.

Application Eligibility

Only Gas Networks Ireland or such other public bodies as may be prescribed are permitted to submit an application for designated development under this procedure.

Next Steps

The Minister indicated that a development consent application is intended to be submitted by the end of 2026. A separate substantive operational Bill is expected to be brought forward later, addressing provisions related to operation, use, cost of the reserve, and policy matters previously raised by Oireachtas Members.

Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 is also disapplied to relevant bodies performing functions in relation to the designated development.