Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to draw attention to the comments made by Senator Quinn about fracking. Not for the first time Senator Quinn has espoused the concept of fracking. He is fully entitled to his opinion, which I totally respect. However, I am unsure whether the research in America to which he referred relates to what is going on or what might happen in my part of the country, the Lough Allen basin, where exploratory licences have been granted.

There is a very real danger, and total uncertainty, regarding what effects fracking can have on groundwater. As Senator Quinn will know, the area of Cavan, Leitrim, Fermanagh and Sligo relies heavily on its tourism economy in the absence of an industrialised environment. He should be somewhat cautious in embracing this new technology without ensuring that all of the facts are laid out. That is what I await and I applaud the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, for having stayed the hand of the companies involved. Incidentally, County Clare is involved in this as well as an exploratory licence has been granted. The Minister has stalled the licence applications until such time as the Environmental Protection Agency produces a well researched report. That could take up to 18 months if the American experience is indicative, as the US Environmental Protection Agency has taken almost five years to reach conclusions about this very controversial concept. However, I fully agree with the Senator that there is a need to examine alternative forms of energy. I simply caution against embracing the concept of hydraulic fracturing at a time when there is still great uncertainty about it.

Finally, there is a little sub-plot under way in the pursuit of the leadership of the Labour Party, which is a very important role.