Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Senator is right. There is much concern in both Houses of the Oireachtas about the issue of hydraulic fracturing. This concern is shared in some parts of the country more than others. I would like to clarify that no process of fracking or hydraulic fracturing is under way. Licences were awarded last February to permit some surveying work and desktop studying of the possibilities to be undertaken, but that is as far as it has got. A couple of companies have indicated their wish to apply for drilling licences if that is the outcome of the work being surveyed. In that event, a rigorous process will surround the hoops through which they will have to jump in order to receive such licences. In the interim, I have asked the Environmental Protection Agency to compile a report on the issues to which the Senator referred. It will be an independent assessment of this phenomenon which is not well known in this country. We do not know a great deal about it. Even where there is some knowledge of it, I am not sure it is based on fact. I am conscious of an American film being hawked around the place which is giving rise to concern. It has supposedly been shown to 500 or 600 people in town halls and other places. The reasons for concern have to be examined and I hope the EPA study will be helpful in allaying fears.