Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has made submissions to the European Commission regarding European-wide regulations relating to the practice of hydraulic fracturing; when guidelines will be issued here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4251/14]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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At its own initiative the Europeam Commission has issued a Recommendation providing minimum principles for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons (especially shale gas) by means of high volume hydraulic fracturing. This Recommendation was included as part of a set of proposals published by the Commission on 22 January, 2014 and is available on the Commission's website.

The Recommendation contains eighteen provisions, including inter alia strategic planning and assessment of environmental impacts, baseline studies, operational requirements, use of chemicals, monitoring requirements, environmental liability and financial guarantees, sanctions and administrative capacity

My priority for now is the research programme to be overseen by the EPA in Ireland. That research programme will consider all stages of unconventional gas exploration and extraction projects and operations, including construction, commissioning, operating, decommissioning and aftercare, as well as off-site and other developments.

Detailed information on the regulatory approaches of other countries that have experience with this activity will also be considered. The research programme is expected to consider a minimum of five countries including at least one country where a moratorium on unconventional gas exploration has been introduced.The EPA research will consider the specific potential environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing in Ireland.

It is my view that guidance to ensure consistency of environmental assessment for developments proposing the use of hydraulic fracking throughout Member States is to be welcomed. It is anticipated that such guidance will continue to develop in accordance with both scientific research and technological progress throughout Europe.