Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on the proposed gas exploration project at Lough Allen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16096/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In recent years there has been renewed interest in targeting the natural gas resource potential of the onshore north-west carboniferous or Lough Allen basin. This potential had been identified in earlier exploration but was not considered commercially viable at the time. In February of this year, following an open competition, my Department awarded two two-year onshore petroleum licensing options to Tamboran Resources Limited and the Lough Allen Natural Gas Company Limited over parts of the basin.

The licensing options awarded are designed to allow the companies assess the natural gas and shale gas potential of the acreage. This work will be largely based on desktop studies of existing data from previous petroleum exploration activity. Exploration drilling is not allowed under these authorisations but shallow geological sampling is permitted. Exploration activity under these authorisations is at an early stage and there is no certainty that it will lead to applications for follow-on exploration licences that would be required before exploration wells could be drilled.

In the event that hydraulic fracturing was envisaged as part of a possible future exploration or production programme, then that activity would be subject to an environmental impact assessment, including an appropriate public consultation phase.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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We have both had fracturing in the past, although, unlike the Minister, I am not in denial.

With regard to the Lough Allen project, in particular hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", as it is known, is the Minister aware of the international concerns in regard to this exploration methodology? In particular, in a number of areas where this methodology was used, such as Louisiana and Texas in the United States, the consequences for people living in the areas were serious due to the detrimental effect it had on the water table, which it contaminated to the point that the water was not useable and residents could not continue living in their own houses. If the Minister is aware of this, he will agree there needs to be a public investigation at least into the consequences of adopting this exploration methodology.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am aware there are concerns in the United States about the process to which Deputy Ferris refers. When this matter first came to my attention, I did not appreciate that the work going on consisted largely of desktop studies of existing data. Therefore, the notion one could fall into a terrible hole around Lough Allen is not exactly in accord with what is happening. I am also aware that a horror movie is being hawked around the country with the implication that dreadful things are going on in the Lough Allen basin. When I found that all of this was a few chaps in front of a computer screen, I had to take a rain check with regard to what is happening.

If the data suggests there is merit in continuing the process further into exploration, the exploration companies must come back to get an environmental impact assessment and then seek permission. I do not know that this is in prospect at present. If it is, we will consider it when it happens.

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

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I would be as concerned as the Deputy if the fallout in this case was as he fears. I believe we are a very long way from that and I assure people who live in the area that this is not the case. I am aware there are concerns in the United States and that the French Parliament not long ago banned the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as Deputy Ferris refers to it. There are certainly concerns about its application in this jurisdiction.