Dickson Calls on DAERA Minister to Refer the Final Decision on Gas Caverns Storage to the Executive

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has said he is disappointed that the Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, does not appear to grasp the cross-cutting nature of the proposed Islandmagee Gas Caverns Storage Project.

Mr Dickson said: “The Gas Caverns Project is extremely controversial, threatening very real impacts for local residents, local wildlife, and the area’s environment. I think the cross-cutting nature of the proposals are blatantly obvious and therefore the final decision should be brought to the Executive Committee.

“Unfortunately, Mr Poots does not seem to understand the significance of what gas storage could mean for Islandmagee, and East Antrim more generally, nor does he seem to grasp the interconnecting elements of this issue that should mean any decision is taken collaboratively”.

Mr Dickson concluded by saying: “I would ask the Minister, yet again, to reconsider his position on this issue, and make an Executive Referral”.