The license granted to Exola Dax (a company associated with Providence Resources PLC) for oil and gas exploration work at Barryroe off County Cork in was today quashed in a High Court Settlment.

The case initiated by An Taisce in November 2018 against Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment on the issue of the exploration license at Barryroe was resolved in the High Court today.

In wording agreed before Mr Justice Noonan this morning.

In the matter of An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland - v- Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Ireland and the Attorney General, both parties consented to: "An Order of Certiorari by way of application for judicial review quashing the decision of the First Named Respondent of 08 October 2018 granting permission to the Notice Party to conduct a seabed debris clearance, environmental baseline and habitat assessment site survey at the Barryroe oil accumulation described in Standard Exploration Licence (SEL 1/11), together with the supporting environmental impact assessment screening determination dated 23rd July 2018. No Order as to Costs."

It was agreed between the parties that the first named respondent would pay An Taisce's costs.

The case was taken on the basis of the environmental assessment process for the project. The outcome of this case is an important vindication of the public interest role of An Taisce in protecting Ireland’s Marine Environment.

ENDS

For further information, contact:
Ian Lumley, Advocacy Officer, An Taisce: +353 1 454 1786
Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce. Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland

Notes:

About An Taisce

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body, semi-state or agency. Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations.