Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

In October of last year, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, requested the EPA to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves.

The EPA commissioned preliminary background research into the environmental aspects of unconventional gas and into the regulatory approaches of other countries to assist the establishment of best environmental practice. This research is in the form of a desk-based study carried out by the University of Aberdeen. While managing the carrying out of the study is a matter for the EPA, I understand from the EPA that it expects to be in a position to publish the report within the next two weeks, possibly even next week.

The EPA proposes to commission further, more extensive research on hydraulic fracturing in 2012 and representatives from the Department and the EPA are developing the scope for that further study. The specification for this further more detailed research will be finalised after there has been an opportunity to consider the output from the University of Aberdeen.

The question of a Green Paper is one issue, but it would be more important at this stage to obtain the greatest possible amount of detailed scientific advice on what is happening on hydraulic fracturing right around the world, as is envisaged with the proposed second study. Until the results of that study are available and have been considered, I will not make any decision on any application proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing.

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