Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that point and will return to it later. As new technologies emerge and develop, along with the rising price of oil and gas, reserves that had previously been dismissed are now becoming commercially viable. However, at present, companies are relying entirely on their own data in assessing commercial viability and it may not be in a company's interests to let a country know the exact viability of deposits of gas or oil. That must change.

I know that we are speaking now about offshore gas and oil, but it would be wrong of me speak about oil and gas without addressing an issue that affects my own constituency deeply, that is, the issue of fracking. The legislation I published today seeks to ban the practice of unconventional gas exploration and extraction. There are many reasons for seeking to do this now, not least the international evidence which shows that damage has been done by fracking. More importantly, however, is the new phenomenon where what the Minister calls investors and what I call gas and oil companies are taking legal action against nations in which they feel the regulatory system prevents them from making profits. Once one gives these guys a start, they will seek to bully and hurt any country that tries to stop them. The best way to deal with them is to ban fracking in this country. If, at some stage in the future, there is demonstrable evidence that hydraulic fracturing can be done safely and does not endanger the environment and human health and will not damage agriculture, tourism and so on, it would then be a simple matter of changing the legislation. If fracking is not banned, however, I can guarantee that there will be companies taking legal action against Ireland Inc. because we interfered with their ability to make profits. I have no doubt about that.

We must consider the process whereby land is acquired for the drilling process. How will that happen? There are at least seven issues of concern regarding the process of hydraulic fracturing which will not be covered by the EPA report. These issues will have to be assessed and addressed. The fracking process involves pumping large volumes of water, chemicals and sand into the ground in the hope of creating fractures in the earth to release the petroleum. Biocides and dyes are often used in the fracking process. The water that is pumped into wells is of significant concern in itself and the disposal of it is of even more concern. There are serious questions about how much of what is by then poisoned water is lost into the soil. The water mixed with chemicals is probably already toxic when it is being pumped into the soil and it is most definitely toxic by the time it is brought back up.

I am not sure if the Environmental Protection Agency will even address the question of what will happen to the land after 14 or 15 years worth of gas is extracted from it. I am also not sure if it will address how horizontal drilling will affect land that is not within a fracking zone or what legal rights such landowners would have. I do not know if the Minister knows the area where I live but it is beautiful. It is a rural area of hills, valleys, lakes and rivers; a beautiful place. It is not a building site or an industrial site. Shame on any Government that would turn it into one and shame on me if I let it happen.

People do not trust the Government, the regulators or the Minister for the Environment of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont to make the right decisions here. There appears to be a good deal of official understanding extended to the so-called scientific documents published on behalf of the oil and gas lobby, with little communication with or understanding of the predicament of host communities where fracking has been introduced.

When the Taoiseach was in Philadelphia he lauded the miracle of fracking there, but I do not see that attitude among the thousands of people who regard fracking as a blight on their countryside and their lives. As well as considering the scientific documentation, cognisance should be taken of the impact on people's lives caused by fracking.

I question the motivation of some of the people who produce reports on fracking. My sole motivation is to preserve the environment, our land, our tourism, our agricultural industries and to preserve future generations. The fracking companies have an entirely different motivation. A holistic picture should be taken to the issue. I urge the Minister to look again at the terms of reference of the EPA because aspects of this issue arise far beyond what the EPA is currently examining and they need to be addressed.

Have I much time left?

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