David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his assistance in ensuring that the debate was held, and the Business Committee and the Government for scheduling it. As the Minister will be aware, Sinn Féin is fully opposed to fracking, which has been our position for years. It lines the pockets of multinational corporations while contaminating the ground and drinking water, threatening public health and national biodiversity. We supported the Bill to ban fracking and we work with local community groups in counties Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Fermanagh on the issue. We do not support the Government's attempt to import fracked gas into the State. The previous speaker, from Fianna Fáil, spoke about consistency. The consistency of which we should be aware relates to the fact we cannot on the one hand say we are against fracking and ban it while we import fracked gas from other countries. That would be hypocritical and would lack consistency.

It is important we do not confuse energy security with gas security. That is part of the problem with which some in Fianna Fáil have a difficulty. It is interesting there are vastly different opinions within the party, which is fair enough, but we need to be consistent-----

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