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

I thank the Minister of State.

Is the Minister of State in communication with the authorities in the Six Counties in Northern Ireland to ensure that nothing is being done that would jeopardise industry or people's health in this part of the country?

I am surprised and disappointed that the Minister of State has not received an official report on what is happening in Colorado. The Minister has travelled to observe fracking operations in the United States. He said that in one area he did not realise fracking was going on because the place looked so well. As I said at the time, the Minister needs to talk to people other than the companies involved or the official environmental protection staff. It is disappointing that a major flood in Colorado caused serious environmental damage. It took them three weeks to get in to some parts to check whether the ground water had been poisoned.

The potential impact here is serious. A groundwater survey undertaken in Ireland showed that the most vulnerable places are the very ones for which fracking licences have been sought. They are the most vulnerable areas for possible water contamination. If the Shannon gets poisoned, we will all be in trouble.

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