Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the Environmental Protection Agency progress report on Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction; and his views that the report provides enough information on the research carried out, as outlined by the terms of reference. [16438/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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In March of this year, the EPA provided an update report on the programme of research into the potential environmental and human health impacts from unconventional gas exploration and exploitation. This report gave an account of the structure and scope of the research programme and provided details of funding and the constituent membership of the steering group established to oversee the procurement process to engage the relevant expertise to carry out the research, together with details of the successful consortium of consultants subsequently appointed.

The update report also identified the five component elements of the comprehensive programme of research, as follows: impacts on surface water, groundwater and related ecosystems; impacts on seismic activity; impacts on air quality; international operational practice and impact mitigation measures; and regulatory regimes for fracking in different countries.

I have received a further update report from the EPA which sets out in detail the specific tasks being undertaken by the consultancy consortium pursuant to each of the component projects, together with the status of these tasks. I am happy to share this detailed update and I have made arrangements to have it published on my Department's website. As I have stated previously, a final report will be published once the research programme has concluded. This final report will reflect the outcomes and recommendations on all elements of the research programme. It is expected that the report will be available in July 2016.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I am not and never will be a Minister but if I was a Minister who commissioned a progress report and I received a two page document comprising 43 lines I would throw it back to the body charged with preparing it. It is a disgrace that such a document was presented as a progress report. It contains little or no substantive information regarding the progress of the investigation of a very dangerous method of extracting gas. I believe it is bluffing the Minister of State, the committee and members of the public in regard to what progress is actually being made. It makes no reference to the health impact assessment, which is a crucial part of any study of hydraulic fracturing. It is outrageous that the EPA would seek to present this to the Minister of State and the wider public as a progress report.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate that the document circulated to the Deputy only comprises two pages but the progress report published on the website includes an appendix with a detailed breakdown of the stages of the investigation. It is a more informative document. I apologise that the Deputy does not have it but I will ensure he receives a copy following the conclusion of Question Time.

This is an important investigation and we are in the middle of a two year process. The Deputy and colleagues from various political parties, including my own, sought a mid-term review. It is important that we remain vigilant in ensuring the health and environmental issues are properly investigated. A revised frame of reference was developed on foot of a thorough and lengthy consultation process which took account of the various fears expressed at community level. I will continue to keep these matters under close review and I have asked my officials to keep Deputies informed.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I am heartened to hear that we will be given more details on the matter. I would have been worried to learn that the Minister had accepted the document before me as a progress report. I will examine the detailed information for proposals on carrying out a health impact assessment and the rationale for selecting a company called CDM Smith, which is on the public record as acting as a cheerleader for the fracking industry.

Yet it is leading this study.

One bit of information that came from the alleged progress report is that approximately 20 reports will be produced over the coming two years. Will the Minister of State ensure that each and every one of those reports is brought before the committee for consideration?

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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There was a broad range of experience on the evaluation panel. For example, members from An Bord Pleanála and current and retired members of different groups such as the CER, the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Environment, Community and Local Government, the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, the EPA, ETH Zurich, Switzerland, Geological Survey of Ireland and the HSE. A comprehensive team of individuals made up the evaluation group to decide which company would be in a position to lead a combined grouping of individuals, groups and experts. While CDM Smith is the company appointed, there is a broad church in terms of the team. The team includes the British Geological Survey, UCD, Ulster University, Queens University Belfast and AMEC Foster Wheeler and Philip Lee. It is a team effort and there is a term of reference. That term of reference changed during the consultation process and the revised term of reference is the term under which the team must work on behalf of Ireland.