Specific legislation to enable the construction of a floating strategic gas reserve in West Clare was signed into law by President Catherine Connolly last Friday. The Strategic Gas Reserve Bill aims to streamline the planning process for the proposed €900 million development at Cahercon. The bill sets new time limits by which different elements of the planning process must be completed by the agencies involved. “This new law, the Strategic Gas Reserve bill, is designed to over-ride other laws including the Climate Act and EU Habitats laws designed to protect nature,” she said. “There is a clear trend of the government rolling back on climate legislation to facilitate the expansion and energy needs of private development.