Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that the Minister of State discussed this issue, or aspects of it, on Priority Questions. I am also aware that the traditional response is to state that the EPA is examining the whole issue of fracking and that nothing will be done before its investigations have been concluded. By the time the EPA reports on the matter in 2016, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, will be in place. Whatever decisions the agency makes at that stage could potentially be overruled, and the State - if it is interested in protecting its citizens and the environment - could be brought to court by the likes of Chevron. I would like the Minister of State to address my contention to the effect that we need to withdraw fracking licences now.

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