Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Who makes the decision to grant or refuse an exploration or production licence? What input, if any, will the committee have in reaching that decision? Is the committee a talking shop or will it have a real input in reaching that decision? Is there any provision in legislation for a Dáil vote on a decision of such crucial importance for the nation? My view is that little is known about the impact of fracking. People talk about experiments and work taking place in Poland and the United States, but north Leitrim is different. The ground and scenery are different and what is underground is totally different from what is in Poland or the United States. It will be at least ten or 20 years before we will have enough information to make a decision on this technology. Will the officials advise of their estimates of the likely timescale to reach a decision on the Lough Allen basin? I am referring to a timescale for exploration because that would be the beginning of the damaging of north Leitrim.

Are we, as a Parliament, doing enough to exploit wind, wave and tidal energy off our extensive Atlantic coast? Are all our eggs being put in the fracking basket?

The Department has initiated work on energy conservation measures, but, given that domestic dwellings account for 40% of our energy use, surely we should do more on energy conservation measures for such dwellings.

I have serious concerns that a company in the initial stages of applying for an exploratory licence is offering so-called unconditional grants to community organisations. Such organisations are almost always strapped for cash and desperate and will take money from any source. It is, therefore, unethical for companies to offer so-called unconditional grants to community organisations which has the potential to cause serious rifts within the community. The last thing we want is another Rossport. Members, the Government, the Department and any company involved must be very careful about fomenting discontent in a community. Are payments allowable expenses against tax if a company is subsequently granted a licence? It would be the irony of ironies if the taxpayer was paying as dissent was fomented within a community by way of community organisations receiving a grant from a company.

I have three more questions.