Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I come from the north west, the Border region of County Leitrim. As there are representatives from a number of directorates, including environment, climate and agriculture, I want to put a question to the relevant official on the evolving European position on hydraulic fracturing or fracking. The main concern being expressed in my locality is that the Government may award mining licences. Fracking is very controversial as the use of chemicals in the process of fracturing may affect water courses. If the delegates look at the map of Ireland, they will see the many lakes in the region where tourism is the mainstay of the economy. People across several counties in the region known as the Lough Allen basin, Lough Allen being the first lake on the River Shannon, are concerned about what would happen to the water courses if mining were to proceed. We have been keeping a close eye on the Commission's attitude to fracking and this might be an opportunity to express an opinion on the way Europe views this as the issue encompasses all three directorates. I am aware that subsidiarity could come into play and that the issue may be left to national governments to decide because of the drive to alternative energy and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. It would be reassuring to learn of the future direction of policy and whether a policy will be developed on fracking.