Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the communication his Department has had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the extension of the hydraulic fracturing licence in the Six Counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19950/14]

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the Six Counties recently extended the timescale for the hydraulic fracturing licensing test drill. Has the Minister had discussions with that Department on this issue? Does he have concerns about the extension of a licence to a company which appears not to be sufficiently well organised to keep within the timeline it negotiated with the Department?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Applications for licences to carry out exploration and production activities in jurisdictions outside the Republic of Ireland are matters solely for the authorities in those jurisdictions. Other than statutory trans-boundary consultation, the Irish authorities have no role in the consideration of such applications.

On the broader issue of unconventional gas exploration, officials in my Department have had regular contacts with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in regard to onshore exploration authorisations in the two jurisdictions. These contacts have facilitated an exchange of information on the nature of activities that have been licensed and their associated timelines. There has also been a sharing of information on the regulatory processes that apply in each jurisdiction. The focus of these engagements has been on information sharing, not on seeking to agree a joint North-South policy. In the case that a project in either jurisdiction were to advance to the exploration drilling stage, it would be subject to the regulatory processes that pertain in that jurisdiction. However, the environmental consideration of any proposed project in either jurisdiction will be subject to EU environmental legislation, including the provisions relating to consultation across borders where there could be a potential negative environmental impact in a neighbouring jurisdiction.

Both the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NIEA, and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, GSNI, are members of the steering group overseeing the Environmental Protection Agency's comprehensive study of the environmental impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction in Ireland.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State says this is a policy matter solely for the authorities in the Six Counties. Unfortunately, poisoned water and air do not stop at any border and, as such, decisions made in the Six Counties will impact on people living in the Twenty-six Counties. Is the Minister of State aware that the British Government is considering the introduction of legislation which will make it permissible to give approval to companies to drill under properties without obtaining the consent of their owners? Will we be following the example of the British Government in this regard or will we reserve for Irish people the right to withhold consent to drill under their lands or properties, which is what the authorities in Britain seem intent on doing, in order to facilitate a fracking industry in this country?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of what the British Government intends to do in this regard, no more than the Deputy or his party is. Such decisions are a matter for that government. As I said, we are involved in a joint North-South study to identify all of the issues involved. It is important, too, that we be fully up to date with all of the international research. The objective of our research is to establish whether shale gas exploration involving the using of fracking can be carried out in a manner that does not cause significant environmental pollution, identify all possible risks associated with the fracking technique, ascertain whether these risks are manageable and identify best practice in environmental protection in the use of hydraulic fracturing for the exploration and extraction of gas.

In November last year the EPA, assisted by a steering committee comprising, among others, the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, launched a call for research tenders. Some six tenders were received from approximately 45 academic consultancies and other bodies. Assessment of these tenders is nearing completion and it is expected that a successful bidder will be appointed shortly. Following the engagement of the relevant experts, a study will be compiled. It is anticipated that this process will take up to two years and that the potential publication date will be some time in 2016. Nothing will happen on this part of the island until the study has been completed and fully debated.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On this part of the island.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. That is our commitment. We will not progress any application or accept any further application until the study has been completed and debated.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is there the same commitment respect of the Six Counties?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I cannot speak for what happens in the Six Counties. Perhaps the Deputy is in a position to do so.