Supreme Court Declines Daera’s Appeal on Gas Storage Caverns Ruling

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal application from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) concerning a judgment related to the gas storage caverns project in County Antrim. Daera had directly approached the UK’s highest court after the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal denied their initial request for permission to appeal. In June, activists successfully won their judicial review challenging the proposal to construct seven large caverns beneath Larne Lough. The Court of Appeal had determined that the project was cross-cutting in nature and should have been decided by the Executive, rather than a single minister. Andrew Muir, the Daera Minister, had sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, citing constitutional grounds. In a statement released on Friday, the minister indicated that he had noted and respected the Supreme Court’s decision. He clarified that the application “did not relate to the environmental merits of the decision” but was instead focused “upon the constitutional issues arising”. These issues, the minister explained, included “the potentially very significant implications for the decision-making threshold of individual ministers.” Muir added, “It will take time to fully understand the implications for my Department and the wider functioning of government.” Lisa Dobbie, from the No Gas Caverns group, was the individual who initiated the original judicial review case. She expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s choice to reject Daera’s request. Dobbie stated, “Today’s announcement underscores the power of communities to affect change. The people of Islandmagee love the place where they live. “Ordinary people had to take extraordinary steps to protect people, place and planet. We hope that this provides inspiration for all those who wish to take a stand.”” Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland provided support for her case. Director James Orr described the outcome as “a huge step forward for climate justice, for cleaner energy and for the protection of nature”.