Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the potential negative impact on tourism in counties Donegal, Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim has been or will be assessed following the granting of exploration licences in the Lough Allen basin involving the controversial fracking technique. [18969/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I have no responsibility in relation to this matter which falls within the remit of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

For the Deputy's information, I am advised by Minister Rabbitte that in February of this year, following an open competition, his Department awarded two year onshore Petroleum Licensing Options to Tamboran Resources Ltd and the Lough Allen Natural Gas Company Ltd over parts of the Lough Allen Basin.

The Licensing Options awarded are designed to allow the companies assess the natural gas and shale gas potential of the acreage. This work will be largely based on desktop studies of existing data from previous petroleum exploration activity. Exploration drilling is not allowed under these authorisations, but shallow geological sampling is permitted. Exploration activity under these authorisations is at an early stage and there is no certainty that it will lead to applications for follow-on exploration licences that would be required before exploration wells could be drilled.

In the event that hydraulic fracturing was envisaged as part of a possible future exploration or production programme, then that activity would be subject to an environmental impact assessment, including an appropriate public consultation phase.

As a prescribed body in the planning process, the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, would have an opportunity to raise their concerns, if appropriate, at that stage of the process.