Written answers
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Hydraulic Fracturing Policy
Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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543. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will implement a ban on fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44220/14]
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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As I have outlined on a number of occasions no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme, until there has been time to consider the outcome of a major research programme, directed at examining the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing, which was recently commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The key questions that this research programme, which is to be carried out over a minimum period of two years, needs to answer are:
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?; andTo this end this scientific research programme is based on the consideration of existing baseline data with respect to groundwater, air and seismicity and the potential implications and mitigations that are required to be considered in order to understand the possible environmental impacts of using this technology and whether or not it can be undertaken in an environmentally protective manner in accordance with the requirements of environmental law.
What is ‘best environmental practice’ in relation to such projects and operations?
In addition, I can also confirm that any application for an exploration licence that proposed the use of hydraulic fracturing as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme would be subject to an environmental impact assessment, including a public consultation phase. Any such environmental impact assessment would be informed by the findings of the research commissioned by the EPA.
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