Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Lynott and Dr. Donlon. Given that the EPA is at such an early stage in this research, we are somewhat limited in the type of information that we can extract from the agency.

The appendices have been helpful in that regard. I wish to focus on Appendix A, about which I am sure my colleagues will have something to say also.

There is serious concern about the involvement of CDM Smith in the research project. The note on the company's activities fails to acknowledge that it has been heavily involved in fracking in the USA and Europe, most particularly in Poland, as well as Ukraine. I have read the contents of its website and comments made by its CEO and it seems that the company is, at best, in sympathy with the concept of fracking. In that context, serious questions must be asked about its independence. I ask the delegates to address that issue because from an initial reading of the EPA's notes on CDM Smith one would not get the impression that the company had been involved in fracking operations. I am sure others will quote from press releases issued by the Love Leitrim group which is actively involved in anti-fracking activities in County Leitrim and expressing alarm in this regard.

Another issue of concern relates to submissions on the terms of reference. I am a little confused because the Love Leitrim group has stated the study, as it stands, does not answer the question as to how it will look at the issue of health but focuses on the second section of its terms of reference relating to best practice in regulating the gas industry. However, from what I had read of the EPA's documents, I was satisfied that the health implications of fracking would be part of the research. I, therefore, ask the delegates to reassure the committee on that point. I made a submission at the time and raised the matter at the committee because it was a serious omission from the terms of reference and the EPA, in correspondence I had received, had acknowledged that health was a matter that would be looked at in the study. In its submission the EPA also makes reference to health. I, therefore, ask the delegates to clear up the confusion in that regard.

On the progress made in undertaking various tasks, the EPA states one task is nearly complete, namely, A1, an "assessment of existing baseline monitoring (best) practices, including water quality aspects, the location of existing monitoring points with specific regard to geological/hydrogeological conditions to inform best practice for an island of Ireland geological context ... This assessment should also make reference to the legislative requirements to develop an environmental monitoring programme." The EPA makes the point that it would not be involved in the regulation of fracking were it to happen here. Is that correct? The presentation document states the, "EPA does not have a regulatory role at the exploration stage of these projects".