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

I thank the witnesses for their brief statements this evening. I will start with a question for the Department on its position versus that contained in the EPA's report. The conclusion of the EPA report is that there are concerns that can be mitigated by certain measures, whereas the Department's position is there is sufficient evidence to maintain the ban. What are the problems that the Department sees as warranting the ban? Will the witnesses expand on that?

In its conclusion, the EPA states there is a lack of data and experience to permit a reliable assessment with regard to fracking. There are a lot of peer-related reviews such as, for example, the Cornell Medical College New York report and the US EPA report, both of which have issues with fracking. How did the EPA decide there was not enough data or experience out there? In layman's terms, does it come down to the fact that fracking has not been in existence for that long? Will the witnesses expand on those questions?

I will ask the witnesses to bank those questions. I will call on Deputy Stanley and Deputy Eamon Ryan.