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

I am going to respond to the actual question the Deputy tabled for reply. I will obtain and forward to her the further information she is seeking as soon as possible. As she noted, the key point is that nothing can happen in respect of fracking in this country until the EPA submits its report in 2016. It will then be a matter for the Government of the day to decide what will happen because the current Administration will not be in office at that time as a result of the fact that a general election is due to be held early in 2016. I wish to reassure the Deputy that there are currently no fracking licences in existence. The previous Government awarded options to three companies but they are not allowed to engage in fracking under the terms of those options. The companies in question are obliged to wait for due process to be completed in respect of this matter. I will be happy to obtain the additional information the Deputy has requested as soon as possible.

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