Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to consider policy issues arising from the Prohibition of the Exploration and Extraction of Onshore Petroleum Bill 2016 and EPA-led joint research programme on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on the environment and human health.

I welcome our witnesses: from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Mr. Matthew Collins, assistant secretary in the natural resources area, and Ms Orla Ryan, principal officer in the petroleum exploration division; from the Geological Survey Ireland, Ms Monica Lee, principal geologist; from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Dr. Alice Wemaere, research manager, and Dr. Matt Crowe; and, from CDM Smith, Mr. Alan Hooper.

Opening statements have been circulated to the members. I propose that the witnesses speak for five minutes each. We will then have a question-and-answer session.