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The Plaintiffs submit that the CRU’s approach to data centre regulation contradicts Ireland’s legally binding carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings. Citing S15 of the Climate Action Act (which mandates consideration of climate concerns across all public bodies), they argue that  the (CRU)’s proposed policy on Large Energy User (LEU) connections for data centres, risks locking Ireland into fossil fuel dependency. The seek a moratorium on further permissions for data centre. 

Friends of the Irish Environment [FIE] has lodged a Judicial Review of a proposed LNG’s 600 MW gas power plant and battery storage system in Co Kerry. The challenge is based on EU law, climate science, and Ireland’s breaching of its Sectoral Emissions obligations.

In the proceedings FIE cites what they allege are critical failures in the Environmental Impact Statement submitted by the developer which include a description of the methods used to assess the climate impact. They argue that (a) these methods underestimate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that will be released by the plant and (b) even if the developer’s emissions calculations are accepted, this single PowerStation would account for on its own 1/3rd of all budgeted emissions from the entire electricity sector in 2030 - which in turn raises questions about the extent to which the national planning authority  [An Bord Pleanala]  can explain how this could possibly be compliant with the relevant national carbon budgets and sectorial emissions ceilings, in a manner consistent with the authorities functions in relation to the proposed development in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended).

Leave to pursue judicial review has been granted by the Irish High Court.

In May of 2025, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) filed for judicial review of the proposed 600 megawatt Shannon LNG power plant before the High Court of Ireland. The plaintiff alleges that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) produced by the developer contains “critical failures.” These insufficiencies center around inaccurate climate impact assessments, as the FIE contends that the EIS significantly underestimates the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, upstream and downstream emissions, and methane leakage associated with the project. 

The complaint specifically alleges that the project does not comply with EU taxonomy criteria for sustainable activities, specifically with lifecycle emissions thresholds pursuant to the EU’s sustainable finance regulations. Based on the flawed EIS, FIE claims that permitting the project breaches obligations under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act of 2021 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive. Proceedings occurred in late May of 2025, and a judgment from the High Court is now pending. 

Meanwhile, in 2025, Shannon LNG reactivated and submitted a broader application for the entire Shannon Technology and Energy Park, with a decision expected in September of 2025.

At the beginning of 2025, a group of landowners, farmers, and campaigners under the name the Alternative A5 Alliance (AA5A) filed for judicial review to challenge the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) decision to continue the A5 dual carriageway project. The challenge was filed under Article 67BA of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993. The major infrastructure project was aimed at improving the A5 route between Derry and Aughnacloy, which has been a lasting safety concern, resulting in numerous civilian deaths. 

The plaintiff alleged that the DfI’s decision failed to comply with Section 52 of the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022. This section mandates public authorities to have regard and act in accordance with the legally binding Climate Action Plan, which was not in place at the time the DfI decided to proceed with the project. On these grounds, the plaintiff contends that DfI did not have a proper legal framework to ensure it was complying with Ireland’s climate targets, specifically an emissions reduction cap. 

The plaintiff also contended that the defendant failed to take into account a critical relevant consideration, or a recently updated Climate Action Plan, when it approved the plan. The plaintiff also alleged that the DfI acted unlawfully by disregarding the Planning Appeals Commission’s recommendation of imposing a time limit for the project’s development, representing a breach in procedural fairness. The plaintiff contended that the lack of a time limit caused uncertainty for the landowners and residents near the project, failing to comply with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to respect for private and family life. 

The court issued a judgment stating that the DfI acted unlawfully by making a decision inconsistent with Section 52 of the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022. The court also stated that the DfI ignored a critical relevant consideration as it proceeded without an updated Climate Action Plan and that DfI violated the principles of procedural fairness when prolonging uncertainty for landowners and residents. The court also ruled that the time limit violations constituted a human rights violation, and ultimately quashed the DfI’s decision to proceed with the project. 


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