Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are delighted in the west of Ireland that there is a Minister of State in the Galway area beside us in Roscommon.Indeed, his colleague as Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, has also been appointed, as has Deputy McHugh. There is also Deputy Naughten in Roscommon who is in the Cabinet. Deputy McLoughlin and his staff have worked very diligently on this particular issue over a period and should be commended.

It is very difficult to get a Private Members' Bill through without the approval of the Government. I have been trying for some time to progress a Bill on the registration of wills. It is very frustrating, to say the least. Governments come and go, and while one might be making progress with one Government, another Government then comes in and refuses to progress the Bill. The former Minister, Deputy Burton, declined to progress my Bill even though the late Brian Lenihan, in a previous Government, had agreed to the Bill. It is very frustrating, but in this particular case, Deputy McLoughlin, a Government Deputy, was requested to push this Private Members' Bill. All the other Deputies in Sligo-Leitrim were in favour of this particular legislation, as was a tremendous organisation called the Love Leitrim campaign. Mr. Scott Coombs from Manorhamilton, who is present, is a member of the legislative committee of that organisation. People such as Ms Mary Bohan, who is the outgoing cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, and all the members of Leitrim County Council have approved and supported the opposition to fracking in County Leitrim in that particular region, as did members of Roscommon County Council. I commend them on their opposition to fracking. People are anxious that this Bill be brought in as full legislation before the summer recess but I am quite confident, as I believe is the Minister, that this will be signed into law in the not-too-distant future.

Fianna Fáil supports this Private Members' Bill, the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016, being brought before the House today. It legislates for the prohibition of fracking activities. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves pumping fluids into shale deposits at high pressure to shatter rock and release natural gas held within. Fianna Fáil opposes the use of the fracking technique in Ireland, as outlined in our energy policy paper published in April 2015. There are potential significant risks to our natural environment due to the pumping techniques and the fate of the fluids used in the drilling and fracturing processes. The possible risks to our drinking water from fracking are simply not acceptable, nor is the possibility of serious damage to our reputation as a high quality food producing nation worth risking. The quality of the water in the River Shannon and elsewhere could be at risk in this regard, and it would affect both our tourism and agricultural industries.

No commercial licences for fracking have been issued in the Republic of Ireland, and the Government is awaiting the outcome of the Environmental Protection Agency study, expected in late 2016, before deciding on definite policy. This Bill will ensure that this does not happen. Fianna Fáil has concerns about the independence of a two-year study into fracking because of the involvement of a consultancy firm, CDM Smith. This company has advised on exploration and gas extraction projects in the United States and Europe and will work in conjunction with bodies including UCD, Queen's University and the British Geological Survey to compile a series of reports next year on fracking. France, Germany and Scotland have all banned fracking in response to these risks. We are not willing to subject our communities to any potential risk that could undermine the integrity of their water supply or the natural environment in which they live. As a result of these risks, Fianna Fáil is demanding a ban on all fracking activities in Ireland and supports the passage of this Bill, which ensures that this does not happen.

The Australian energy company, Tamboran Resources, had intended to commence Ireland's first exploratory fracking project in Fermanagh, but it is now suing two Departments in the Stormont Executive after its plans were rejected late last year. It is very important that the Government here, hopefully in conjunction with the Executive in the North which hopefully will be established in the next few weeks, will work together to ensure that there is joint legislation on both sides of the Border to prohibit fracking in the island of Ireland because if there is fracking in Fermanagh, it will affect resources here in the Republic.

Fracking has occurred in the United Kingdom and I understand it has created small tremors in different locations. Fracking in the United States of America is a completely different situation because of the vast size of that country compared with the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. The technique that is used is very damaging, as are the chemicals used to extract the gas. It is not a particularly economic way of extracting gas. It is very damaging onshore. This does not prohibit drilling for gas offshore, which has been very successful.

The people of Leitrim mounted a very strenuous campaign, and I again commend the Love Leitrim campaign, which was a group representing people throughout the length and breadth of County Leitrim. It spearheaded this campaign to bring about this legislation, which has been approved and will be passed by this House today. I am really hopeful. Deputy McLoughlin and his staff are anxious that this Bill be passed by the summer recess. I am quite confident that this will happen because so much work has been done in the committee system. The Dáil's Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment has approved the legislation - I am a member of the joint committee - and it has gone through all Stages in Dáil Éireann. It will go through all Stages here and Fianna Fáil, as a party in the Seanad, is very enthusiastic. The credit goes to Deputy McLoughlin and I am delighted that a backbench Deputy and his staff have had the initiative to bring this Bill forward as a Private Members' Bill.

Senator Norris would agree with me that bringing a Private Members' Bill is a strenuous undertaking but he has had success in getting them passed through this House over the years.