Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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1657. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the research into the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing has commenced; when the research is scheduled to conclude; if there will be any interim findings and whether his Department has received any applications for exploration drilling. [34701/14]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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In order to assist Government bodies in making informed decisions about future licensing and management of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) projects/operations on the island of Ireland, comprehensive knowledge of potential impacts of this process on the environment and human health is requiredIn August of this year, the EPA on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, appointed CDL Smith consultants to undertake this programme of scientific research. Before issue, the draft terms of reference were subject to a public consultation proccess which received over one thousand submisisons, and procurement was undertaken in accordance with EU procurement rules. The aim of the Research Programme, which is to be carried out over a minimum period of two years, is to further our understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from UGEE projects/operations. The key questions required to be answered are as follows:

- Can unconventional gas exploration and extraction projects and operations be carried out in the island of Ireland whilst also protecting the environment and human health? and

- What is ‘best environmental practice’ in relation to such projects and operations?

In considering these question the following key issues will be addressed:

- Baseline Characterisation with regard to groundwater, air and seismicity;

- UGEE projects/operations, Impacts and mitigation measures; and

- Regulatory Framework for Environmental protection.

It is not anticipated that any interim findings will be made available before the final report is published.

With regard to licensing applications, three onshore licensing options were granted for the two year period from 1 March, 2011 to 28 February, 2013, over parts of the North West Carboniferous (Lough Allen) Basin and parts of County Clare to:

i. Tamboran Resources PTY Ltd over 986 km²in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin;

ii. Lough Allen Natural Gas Company Ltd over 467 km²in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin; and

iii. Enegi Oil Plc over 495 km²in the Clare Basin.

These ‘options’ were valid for a period of up to a maximum of 24 months and gave the holder the first right, exercisable at any time during the period of the Option, to an Exploration Licence over all or part of the area covered by the Option. The licensing options awarded were preliminary authorisations and were designed to allow the companies assess the shale gas potential of the acreage largely based on desktop studies of existing data.

Exploration drilling, including drilling that would involve hydraulic fracturing was not allowed under these Licensing Options. Two of the three companies, which had been granted onshore licensing options in February 2011, have submitted applications for a follow-on exploration licence, however consideration of these applications will not be finalised until after the EPA research has been concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.

I can confirm that no other applications have been received.