He said: "This is a reckless decision at the worst possible time, and will prove to be an act of economic and environmental self-harm. The UK Government has now turned to culture war politics in what is a desperate attempt to distract from its own failures.
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"The issuing of these licenses is completely at odds with the Government’s own net zero targets, and is unconscionable when we are witnessing record-breaking heatwaves across the globe.
"Investment in clean, green, renewable energy remains the clearest route to cutting energy bills, creating good jobs and delivering energy security.
"We urgently need a restored and reformed Executive to take steps to introduce a comprehensive ban on current and future fossil fuel exploration and extraction in Northern Ireland whilst insulating NI from the Tories’ economic and environmental illiteracy, and deliver a Green New Deal to protect our planet and future prosperity."
