PIPELINE BILL GETS PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL DESPITE PROTESTS
Taoiseach reaffirms his commitment to green causes as plans to build the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 pipeline proceed
Séamus Ó Ceallaigh (@soceallaighgbf)
7 May 2020 | Spálgleann, Caldia
Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne argues that the pipeline is "critical" infrastructure to secure Euclea's energy independence.
SPÁLGLEANN – A bill that would grant the Caldish government the necessary powers to push ahead with the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 pipeline project passed the Comhthionól Náisiúnta today. The Mac Suibhne government plans to go ahead with the project despite opposition from regional governments and climate activists. Recent demonstrations throughout Northern Euclea have shown grassroots opposition to the pipeline, but the project has not stalled and the Caldish and Weranic governments are close to having the legal powers needed to proceed.
The bill, which heads to the Seanad for a vote on Monday, gave the Caldish government the powers to build the pipeline bilaterally. Plans for the project to be built under the scope of the Northern Forum fell apart after opposition from the Azmaran and Ordennian governments. The existing Tuaisceart-Süd pipeline that already connects Caldia and Werania was built through the Northern Forum in the 1990s. Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne had hoped to secure additional funding and regional cooperation through the organization, but was met with opposition from usually friendly governments. The bill also allocates the required funding for the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 project and grants the Caldish government the powers to contract out work. A similar bill has already passed through the Weranic Reichstag, where it enjoyed broad support.
Commenting on the passage of the bill, Mr. Mac Suibhne said that it was a "major step" towards establishing Euclea's energy independence and maintain its collective security.
"This pipeline will help ensure that a stable and secure source of energy remains available to the [Euclean] Community during increasingly uncertain times".
He also described the pipeline as "critical" infrastructure.
Recent instability in Tsabara, one of the world's largest exporters of petroleum, has raised concerns throughout Euclean capitals about a steady supply. The taoiseach said Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 would prepare Euclea for the future and establish energy independence in the long-term. However, he cautioned that it alone would not be enough and argued that the Euclean Commission needed to do more to support renewable sources of energy.
"So long as we are capable in terms of resources, Caldia is ready and willing to provide Euclea with a steady supply of petroleum. However, our reserves simply cannot last forever. We have to talk bold steps to support alternative sources that do not rely on imports from unstable regions".
Mr. Mac Suibhne also responded to criticism that his government had not done enough to fight climate change or protect the enviornment. Responding to green activists, the taoiseach said that his government's Climate Action Plan was both "comprehensive and progressive". He also reaffirmed his commitment to the plan being drafted by the Euclean Commission and said Caldia would be a leader within the Euclean Community in the fight against climate change. Mr. Mac Suibhne and his Social Democratic Party have been accused by climate activists of failing to sufficiently address the climate crisis. Critics have also voiced concerns over the PSD's its support for the petroleum industry and the government's failure to back taxes on major carbon emitters.
The bill won cross-party support in the Comhthionól, with few votes cast against it. All members of the Greens voted against the bill. Co-spokesperson Colm Ó Corráin condemned the vote, accusing the government of "risking both the environment and the future for corporate profits and lower taxes".
Protests are planned for the weekend, a continuation of demonstrations staged by activists for the past two weeks. However, as the bill heads to the Seanad it is unlikely to find opposition and is expected to pass without issue. Should the Seanad vote down the bill, the Comhthionól would have the opportunity to again vote on the bill. Given the cross-party support for the bill in today's vote, it is unlikely that a second Comhthionól vote would doom the government's plans. After the bill gains the Seanad's approval, it will be sent to His Majesty the King for royal assent.
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