Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It covers a raft of issues. We have had meetings to discuss the issue of hydraulic fracking. What money is the Department spending on research into fracking?

In discussing natural resources the other old chestnut is oil and gas. We have been hoping for generations to find fields off the coast. Last year it seemed that some of the fields to the south west had great potential, but that hope evaporated. How much money is being spent by the Department on encouraging explorers in this regard? Commercial interests will only go where they believe they will find something. Perhaps the Minister might comment on the question of hydraulic fracturing also.