Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of what the British Government intends to do in this regard, no more than the Deputy or his party is. Such decisions are a matter for that government. As I said, we are involved in a joint North-South study to identify all of the issues involved. It is important, too, that we be fully up to date with all of the international research. The objective of our research is to establish whether shale gas exploration involving the using of fracking can be carried out in a manner that does not cause significant environmental pollution, identify all possible risks associated with the fracking technique, ascertain whether these risks are manageable and identify best practice in environmental protection in the use of hydraulic fracturing for the exploration and extraction of gas.

In November last year the EPA, assisted by a steering committee comprising, among others, the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, launched a call for research tenders. Some six tenders were received from approximately 45 academic consultancies and other bodies. Assessment of these tenders is nearing completion and it is expected that a successful bidder will be appointed shortly. Following the engagement of the relevant experts, a study will be compiled. It is anticipated that this process will take up to two years and that the potential publication date will be some time in 2016. Nothing will happen on this part of the island until the study has been completed and fully debated.

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