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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 together.

The status of the unconventional exploration and extraction industry in other jurisdictions is a matter for the authorities in those jurisdictions and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the government policies of other countries. We are, of course, aware of reports on last year's floods in Colorado and the public debate and controversy which ensued about concerns raised in this regard. It is important to understand the Irish environment is different from the environments in which many unconventional gas projects and operations are taking place worldwide and this must be taken into account when making reference to and comparing with experience of such projects and operations in other countries. This is why elements of the research being commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, will relate to specific regions where petroleum licensing options or licences have been granted by the Department or the Department of Energy, Trade and Industry in Northern Ireland. Bearing this in mind, I understand the EPA research programme will also include identification and a detailed examination of potential impacts on the environment and human health, as well as potential successful mitigation measures to counteract the impacts of such projects and operations that have come to the fore worldwide, using published reports and other sources. It is expected that findings will be accompanied by a reference to experiences in other countries where this industry is active, as well as countries where it has been banned.

The European Commission has confirmed that assessment of projects proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration for and production of shale ga, is subject to a number of EU directives, including the environmental impact assessment directive and the habitats directive. The Commission has also issued guidance in this regard. In addition to this guidance, the Commission has published a number of research documents on the potential impacts of unconventional exploration and extraction of gas, including Unconventional Gas: Potential Energy Market Impacts in the European Union; Climate impact of potential shale gas production in the EU; a report on the identification of potential risks for the environment and human health arising from unconventional gas exploration; and Mitigation of climate impacts of possible future shale gas extraction in the EU, available technologies best practices and options for policy makers.

In January this year the Commission issued a communication on the exploration and production of hydrocarbons such as shale gas, using high volume hydraulic fracturing. The purpose of this communication is to ensure the consistent implementation of environmental protection measures throughout the European Union. The guidance is implementable in member states with active hydraulic fracturing industries and the Commission has indicated that if this guidance is not followed, more binding measures will be introduced.

With regard to the position in Ireland, no applications have been made to the Department to date proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling for shale gas and I reiterate that until there has been time to consider the findings of the EPA research and further research from Europe and beyond, the use of this technology will not be authorised.

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