Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I agree that we must have full engagement with the public, particularly with regard to the terms of reference of this study. A steering committee will comprise, among others, representatives of the Department of the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Environmental Protection Agency. The call for research will go out later this year. We intend to publish the terms of reference and to have public consultations on them before we proceed with the actual study. The terms of reference are critical because the outcome of further research will assist in a robust, scientific-based assessment of any future application proposing the use of this technology. Until there has been time to consider the second stage of the EPA's research, I can confirm that the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling will not be authorised.

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