Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has been in contact with Members of the Legislative Assembly and officials in the Stormont Assembly to discuss a possible joint policy on hydraulic fracturing or fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43734/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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While I have not been in contact with Members of the Legislative Assembly or officials in the Stormont Assembly, I can confirm that 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 took place in February of this year, which provided an opportunity for a more detailed engagement and sharing of information between the respective regulators, together with a commitment to keep each other informed on relevant developments. Additionally, officials from Northern Ireland are represented among the bodies engaged in scoping the more detailed research to be commissioned by the EPA later this year, on the potential environmental impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing.