An Taisce’s chairman Charles Stanley Smith said today “We are unhappy that such a decision has been made before the judicial review process of the An Bord Pleanála granting of permission has been completed, however this decision does not affect our case.

Though there are 26 conditions in the MLVC (Marine Licence Vetting Committee) report, we have asked the Minister if these are the conditions that have been attached to this decision to grant the foreshore licence and until we examine these in detail we cannot make a full comment on the impact of this decision.

The decisions made surrounding this project would, we maintain, involve breaches of both Irish and European Law, as the pipeline traverses and will impact upon Natura 2000 sites.”

As an independent charitable organisation, Charles clarified that An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, are fundraising to assist with the considerable costs associated with preparing for and mounting a Judicial Review. A dedicated website [email protected] has been set up with latest news and an easy online method of giving to support this campaign.

ENDS

For further information please contact Abby McSherry Public affairs officer An Taisce 087 9598767 Charles Stanley-Smith, Chair An Taisce 087 2411995