Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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23. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a health impact assessment will be included in the EPA-DCENR-NIEA research programme regarding the environmental impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction; if funds have been made available for this assessment; and if it will be concluded in advance of a decision to grant exploration licences. [51570/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Environmental Protection Agency invited tenders on 22 November for a two-year research programme to further the understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction projects and operations, including construction, operation and aftercare. My Department will be contributing towards the cost of the research.

The wording “human\public health” as used in the tender document refers specifically and is limited to potential health impacts deriving from impacts on environmental media, for example, exposure to chemicals, vibration, light, noise, and pollution of environmental media (i.e. soils, air and water).