Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 10: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he or his officials have had with the authorities in Northern Ireland with a view to agreeing a joint policy North and South on hydraulic fracturing on an all Ireland basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2626/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Officials of my Department have had contacts with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to the onshore exploration authorisations that are in place in the two jurisdictions.

The primary purpose of these contacts has been to facilitate an exchange of information in relation to the nature of the activities that have been licensed and their associated timelines. There has also been a sharing of information in relation to the regulatory processes that would apply in each jurisdiction should the promoters of these projects make applications to advance to an exploration drilling phase, or beyond.

The focus of these preliminary engagements has been on information sharing and not on seeking to agree a joint north south policy. In the case that a project in either jurisdiction were to advance to the next stage then it would be subject to the regulatory processes that pertain in that jurisdiction.

It is the case, however, that the environmental consideration of any proposed project in either jurisdiction will be subject to EU environmental legislation, including the provisions relating to consultation across borders where there could be a potential negative environmental impact in a neighbouring jurisdiction.

A meeting between authorities both north and south is planned for the coming weeks to provide an opportunity for a more detailed engagement and sharing of information between the respective regulators.