Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. As the Chairman knows, I am not a member of the committee but I was anxious to hear some of the comments made. My colleagues here, Deputy Scanlon and the other Deputies who also represent my constituency of Sligo-Leitrim, gave commitments on this issue many months ago. It has been a major issue in our area for many years. I was very pleasantly surprised by the unanimous decision in the Dáil in October on Second Stage. To be quite honest, I am a little concerned. I know the Chairman was trying to clarify the process of going from Second Stage to Committee Stage and the fact that we are now listening to comments being made. I was of the opinion that perhaps on Committee Stage, more advice and more detail should be sought. However, having read some of the comments made in the past by CDM Smith and others, I was very concerned. I heard some speakers talking about what has happened only this evening. A colleague of mine who has a huge interest in the United States came to me and expressed huge concern and told me I should be here to express concern again this evening. There is no justification for anybody in this room to water down in any way the concerns of the people about fracking under any circumstances.

When I approached colleagues from all parties and none, it was most unusual for a backbencher in a Government party to have a Bill succeed. It was a unanimous decision. I hope that will stand when we go to Committee Stage. Irrespective of what comments are made and what detail is forthcoming, given what we have seen and heard and the evidence that has been given to me and others, under no circumstances can the people of this country be subjected to fracking.

Having been here and having listened to some of the comments, I would be concerned if there were any change of heart. I ask the Chairman and his colleagues on this committee to ensure adherence to what was stated in the Dáil in October by every party and none. Everyone supported the idea that under no circumstances would we have fracking and nobody would be subjected to it. We are concerned on the health grounds. We talk about it, particularly in my area, due to agricultural concerns and concern for the general well-being of people in this country, not only of this generation but for generations to come. I would be concerned.