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

I thank Ms Burke for the presentation. I am still unclear. Does an exploratory licence permit hydraulic fracturing in north Leitrim? I received an answer to that question, but I did not understand it. It is not clear to me. This document points out that people have the right to make a submission. We are talking about the potential for environmental impacts such as the poisoning of groundwater. Nothing in the document relates to the impact that this development would have on the people who live in north Leitrim.

From reading about experiences in other jurisdictions where hydraulic fracturing is practised, I have learned that nobody listened to the concerns raised elsewhere. In Ireland the concerns about fracking are not confined to the possible poisoning of groundwater or potential damage to the agrifood and tourism industries. People are concerned that a beautiful agricultural area with drumlin hills, lakes, rivers, mountains and valleys - I again suggest members visit north County Leitrim - will be turned into an industrial wasteland. Fracking will impact on local people. Prior to my election to the Dáil last year, I was a county councillor in County Leitrim where applications to build houses with a septic tank were rejected on the basis that a family home would be intrusive on the landscape. This is the same area where consideration is being given to allowing the construction of seven acre concrete pads. I cannot understand why we are even considering allowing exploratory hydraulic fracturing in this area. Will someone explain the reason, please?