Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction on the environment and human health. This all-island programme of research, which is being administered by the EPA, comprises five interlinked projects and involves field studies as well as an extensive desk-based literature review of unconventional gas exploration and extraction practices and regulations worldwide.

This scientific research programme considers existing baseline data with respect to groundwater, air and seismicity, and the potential implications and mitigations that are required to be considered to understand the environmental impacts of using this technology and whether it can be undertaken in an environmentally protective manner, in accordance with the requirements of environmental law. The programme has been designed to produce the scientific basis, which will assist regulators, both North and South, in making an informed decision about whether it is environmentally safe to allow unconventional gas exploration and extraction. As well as research in Ireland, evidence from other countries will be collated and considered.

As I have stated on a number of occasions, and I would like to once again confirm, no application to engage in such exploration and extraction has been received in my Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.

On the Paris summit, which the Deputy raised, any policy decision will be taken in the context of the objective of achieving a low carbon energy system by 2050.

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