Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the fact that Leitrim County Council recently unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in a company-led consortium of researchers (details supplied) commissioned to carry out Environmental Protection Agency research into hydraulic fracturing, in view of this company’s track record on this method of extraction in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23133/15]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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CDM Smith, a company that has led the fracking industry into Poland and Ukraine, is leading the EPA's research project on fracking. It is a little worrying that such a company would be given the job. The company's official line on natural gas is that "It is an abundant, reliable, clean and cost-effective fuel source." Surely, someone else should examine the matter?

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for his question which relates to a motion passed by Leitrim County Council. While I have received communication from the county council, as outlined in the Deputy's question, I would comment as follows on the appointment of CDM Smith and the involvement of that company in the multi-agency trans-boundary programme of research commissioned by the EPA on the potential impacts on the environment and human health of unconventional gas exploration and extraction projects.

The programme is managed by the EPA and co-funded by the EPA, my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, with oversight from a broad-based steering committee that includes my Department.

As is normal in major and broad-ranging projects such as this, the project team involves a wide range of expert institutions and companies. CDM Smith is the lead consultant in the consortium engaged to carry out the programme of research, and the consortium includes the British Geological Survey, University College Dublin, Ulster University, Queens University Belfast, Amec Foster Wheeler and Philip Lee solicitors, each offering a particular specialism required by the project scope. The contract for the programme of research was awarded following a robust evaluation process in compliance with public procurement guidelines, where the tender submitted by the CDM Smith headed consortium was evaluated as being the strongest bid.

I am aware that there has been some recent focus on the fact that CDM Smith has provided expert advice to oil companies involved in the development of unconventional gas resources. CDM Smith has also provided advice to State bodies and regulatory agencies across its area of expertise. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is common that a broad range of parties will seek to draw on the specialist expertise available from a firm such as CDM Smith. The fact that disparate entities seek to draw on such expertise is generally seen as an indicator of a company's recognised experience.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Although I do not doubt CDM Smith's experience in the area and I understand why people would garner some information from it my point remains the same. The company is involved seriously at the coalface of fracking and would almost promote it. Recently, New York State changed its fracking moratorium into a full ban based on its department of health's review of the latest evidence. CDM Smith's response to this effort by state legislators to protect their drinking water, clean air, the global climate and the public health of their communities was one of condemnation. These people have a vested interest in telling us fracking is good for us. The Minister does not need to have fracking researched. There is enough research to prove to most ordinary people that fracking is bad for our health. A couple of months ago, a Minister said to me here that we were burying our heads in the sand if we ignored the energy potential from fracking. It might not be a bad idea if we did, given that our health would be much better.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I do not know who said that. It was not me.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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It was someone from the Minister's party who had the job before him.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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While I understand what the Deputy is saying, I respectfully disagree with him when he says there is no need to have the matter researched. We should have it researched here and have expert scientific evidence available to us in this jurisdiction. That is why the EPA has commissioned the study. The science is critical and there is a consortium of parties involved - I read out the list - including reputable, scientific institutions and universities. There is also legal advice and advice across the board so the Parliament and Government can have the best scientific evidence available to us. Evidence is evidence, not opinion. Evidence is about the science, and I would like to see the science as, I am sure, would the Deputy.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Some science experts are climate change deniers and are well-known and are perceived to be very knowledgeable. People can form opinions and very often, sadly, some people have a vested interest in the opinion they form, even if it is based on so-called expert research. Natural gas is a fossil fuel which produces heat-trap carbon dioxide when combusted as well as generating other global warming emissions. At every stage of the fracking process there are methane leaks, and methane is more than 30 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. I am even more worried about the water table.

We already have enough problems with the water table which I believe are directly linked with the high rate of cancer in Ireland. The water table has been poisoned in many areas and the incidence of cancer is on the increase. The rate in Ireland is five times that in Italy. The water table presents a serious problem and fracking would only add to it.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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We will have to part company on the science. Perhaps I am naive, but I think the science stands on its own. Scientific evidence is important to policy making. As a policy maker, the Minister of the day will make a decision based on the best available advice and evidence and will come to the House to account for it. It will be at least another year before the EPA's findings emerge. We should have confidence in ourselves, as a people, a Government and a Parliament to make the right decision. The scientific evidence will assist us in that regard. Like the Deputy, I keep abreast of the experience of fracking in other countries. I am aware of the changes introduced in New York. The correct process is to await the outcome of the EPA's study before determining whether there is a basis for making a decision. That is my position as Minister.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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This issue is of more than academic interest to me because I live in the area most immediately threatened by fracking. Last week the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications discussed its progress report with representatives of the EPA. I have described CDM Smith as a cheerleader for the fracking industry. My major concern is that it is the lead company for the study. How can any reasonable person expect a report to be truly independent if the lead company producing it is a cheerleader for the fracking industry? It was a bad choice as the lead company. The EPA has indicated that it signed a conflict of interest declaration. I could sign 100 documents, but I would remain implacably opposed to fracking because I know of the damage it will do. Last Friday, when the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Simon Harris, attended the opening of the MacDiarmáda summer school at Seán MacDiarmáda's cottage, outside Kiltyclogher, County Leitrim, he looked out at the beautiful drumlin landscape of hills, valleys and rivers. Imagine that beautiful place covered with fracking pads. Irrespective of the health impacts, we will never be able to restore that environment if it is savaged in the cause of making money for hydraulic fracturers.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Deputy has noted that CDM Smith Ireland Limited and its sub-consultants signed a conflict of interest declaration as part of the tender documentation. The declaration stated it had no conflict that would impair its ability to meet the requirements as specified, whether through personal interest, current or prospective contractual obligations or any other activity or association.