Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The issue I raise arises from proceedings in the European Parliament last week when the environment committee voted on and updated the environmental impact assessment Directive. One of the key amendments sought to introduce the inclusion of the extraction of unconventional fossil fuels under the directive. Until now only projects that produce at least 500,000 cubic metres of gas daily had to undergo environmental impact assessments. Given that unconventional gas project emissions tend be highly variable and such projects produce less gas but their environmental impact may be as serious as that of conventional gas extraction, it is important that we ensure any impact on the environment is fully considered and fully compliant with environmental impact assessments before any extraction project is approved. I understand the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is waiting until the EPA report on fracking is published before he makes a decision on whether to grant an exploratory licence for the use of the process here. In the light of the amendment made to the environmental impact assessment Directive in the European Parliament, what will this mean for the process under way?

Fracking has been an issue of grave concern, especially in the communities near the Lough Allen Basin and straddling Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan and a number of other counties surrounding that area. International experience has warned us of the potential dangers of this method of gas extraction, not just on the environment but also on human health, and of wider issues, too. The health and environmental risks relating to the extraction of shale gas include contamination of groundwater, high water use, high use of toxic chemicals, air and noise pollution, the emission of pollutants and it has even been suggested earthquakes can occur. It is important that we close regulatory gaps that may be there for fracking operations within the European union.

Many people point to America to show the potential dangers of not closely regulating shale gas operations. The Minister should listen to the voices of the communities which live near these potential drilling sites and are, therefore, more at risk from the negative consequences of fracking. Sinn Féin has highlighted the fact that the EPA report will take a very narrow view of the fracking process. We have said fracking does not begin or end with the injection of high pressure fluids into the ground. That is why the issues that need to be addressed include the construction of mining sites, the disposal of wastewater, chemicals and the impact on agricultural land. While geologists, engineers and scientists are sufficient in that area of expertise, they would not necessarily be aptly qualified to determine the impact fracking could have, for example, on human and animal health. In other countries there have been several reports on the serious impact of fracking on human health which range from skin and eye sores to respiratory problems. The risk to the people concerned and their families has raised a lot of questions about fracking. Before fracking is allowed in Ireland, there should be a full and thorough study of its potential impacts and the precautionary principle must be applied at all stages. I am referring specifically to the amendment to the environmental impact assessment Directive and how that will relate to the process used here in respect of the EPA report and related issues.