Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have great respect and admiration for the work of Deputy Tony McLoughlin. Today marks a big victory for the island of Ireland and beyond. Nevertheless, as Senator Higgins outlined, my sense is that we are talking about a global issue. Will the Minister of State consider requesting that the EPA would conduct the similar study for offshore fracking as for onshore fracking? However, one way or another, as I stated initially, there is a contradiction. We are either moving towards a just transition to a fossil free future or not. My amendment essentially requests that we recognise that onshore fracking is a problem, as is clear from the EPA report, but, equally, offshore fracking has potential risks for the marine environment and the human environment. It is problematic. On that basis, what is happening today is wonderful and I welcome it, but we need to go beyond that and have the wider debate. That is why I would like to press this amendment.

I mentioned the position that France is taking and we as an island nation have to step up. We are not ambitious enough in meeting our climate change targets. We are failing in that respect. This amendment is pushing it out a step further in recognising that fracking, as every Member here agrees today, is bad for humans and for the environment, whether it is onshore or offshore. That is why I am pressing the amendment. I very much respect Senator Rose Conway-Walsh and her support and I also respect Senator Tim Lombard. However, as Senator Higgins said, what we are agreeing with the passing of this Bill today is a victory for a day but what I am proposing is a step beyond that, namely, that we are ambitious and that we recognise that fracking, whether it is onshore or offshore, is not what this island wants to engage in. That is why I want to press the amendment.