Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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430. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received any licensing applications from companies which propose to carry out onshore petroleum extraction but do not propose to use the method of hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40680/13]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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It is current licensing policy that applications for petroleum authorisations in respect of onshore areas will not be considered pending the outcome of the Environmental Protection Agency's studies into the use of hydraulic fracturing, which are expected in early 2015. My Department is not in receipt of petroleum authorisation applications proposing onshore petroleum extraction.