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

I am not aware of the document the Deputy has available and if he gives me a copy of it afterwards, I will be happy to examine the issues about which he is clearly concerned. The bottom line is that the Government will not allow fracking to take place. The EPA's report will have to be to hand before decisions can be made on it. The report is at least two years away and, when published, it will have to be debated in the Houses and be the subject matter of public comment. Regardless of what companies may state, in this jurisdiction there is total clarity on what we are doing and what will not happen. There will be no fracking in this country and we will not consider any application until such time as the scientific knowledge is available to us all and fully and properly debated in the Oireachtas. The landscape of the area where the Deputy lives is beautiful and agriculture, tourism and water in the area must and will be protected. The EU regulations are very clear in this regard.

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