Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I presume that the Department itself will be involved in the research along with the EPA. The key thing is that we get robust scientific facts, not fiction. Whatever the facts are we must find them in their finest, broadest, most scientific and analytical detail. The terms of reference will be on the websites of the Department and the EPA freely, openly and transparently so people can make representations. It will proceed by the end of this year and nothing can happen until then. There will not, and cannot, be any hydraulic fracturing.

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