Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Climate Justice, Senator Lynn Boylan, welcomed the EU’s decision to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty during a meeting of the EU energy ministers.

Speaking today, Senator Boylan said:

“I am delighted that the EU has made the final decision to exit the climate-wrecking Energy Charter Treaty. This is a historic day for activists across Europe who have campaigned for years against it.

“Withdrawal is a significant step for climate action. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified the ECT as a major barrier to achieving net zero. Leaving this treaty enables governments to align their energy policies with the Paris Agreement and our climate targets, free from the threat of legal action and compensation claims from fossil fuel companies.

“However, withdrawal is not the end. The compromise allows member states to remain in the treaty, and the sunset ‘zombie’ clause means companies can still bring cases against Ireland under the treaty for 20 years.

“Joining the ECT was a historic mistake, and it is to Fianna Fáil’s eternal shame that they signed the state into the treaty. We need assurances from MEP candidates like Barry Andrews that they will not support secret corporate courts embedded in trade deals in the future.”