Hollywood star claims Greens are doing ‘something really terrible to the environment’Party says actor does not need to worry about keeping lights on in Ireland
Mark Ruffalo (PA)
The Green Party has hit back at Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo after he criticised them for supporting legislation which will allow for liquified natural gas (LNG) plants to be built in Ireland.
In a video posted to his more than 8 million followers on social media platform X, the Hulk actor said the Green Party is doing “something really terrible to the environment”.
He said the party is trying to “jam through” legislation which will allow for fast-tracking the construction of LNG terminals for imported fracked gas from the US.
Mr Ruffalo said the Green Party promised it would not allow LNG plants to be established while they were in power.
In response, a Green Party spokesperson said the actor’s video “gives a very misleading account” of what is envisaged in the amendment to the Planning Bill which goes before a Dáil vote today.
Mark Ruffalo and Alison Oliver call for public action on Green Party’s LNG Bill
“The Green Party remains fully opposed to a commercial LNG facility and is proud that no such facility has proceeded during our time in Government,” spokesperson said.
The Green Party pointed to the Government’s Energy Security Strategy that highlighted the need for “gas reserve as a back-up” while moving in the direction of a renewable energy based power system.
They said Ireland could be “seriously exposed without the power and heat supply we need” if there was a break in the existing gas pipeline from Britain.
“What the amendment allows for is the possibility of a State-owned, floating off-shore gas reserve that could provide such a back-up supply in such an eventuality,” the spokesperson said.
“It would be temporary in nature, would have to operate under strict climate limits and could not contain gas from fracked sources. It would not be a commercial facility. That is the only reason for this amendment,” he added.
And in further criticism of Mr Ruffalo, the spokesperson said: “Keeping the lights on in Ireland is not something that Mark Ruffalo needs to worry about but it is something that the Irish Green Party obviously cares about.”
Friends of the Earth Chief Executive, Oisín Coghlan called on TDs to oppose the amendment to the legislation allowing for LNG terminals.
“The Greens either took their eye off the ball with the Planning Bill or they don’t mind that the risk of new fossil fuel import terminals being approved has skyrocketed between the Planning Bill and the High Court judgement. If almost the last thing this Government does facilitates an LNG import terminal getting approval, then the legacy of the Greens in Government will be in tatters,” Mr Coghlan said.
