Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

I welcome that the Minister is prepared to, let us say, investigate the consequences of fracking in other jurisdictions. I am not referring to any horror movie. I understand a very alarming presentation was made by some group but I understand it had nothing to do with fracking and related more to the consequences for the landscape which result from exploration. However, I have concerns about fracking given the information of which I have been made aware. It has had a detrimental effect on people's homes and many had to leave their homes as a result of the methodology used. Fracking involves putting pressurised water into the hole being drilled, which expands any cracks in the rock formation and leads to gas escaping into the water. I suggest the Minister needs to get expert advice from jurisdictions where things have gone wrong.

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