Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Renua Ireland)
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217. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the research that has been, or is currently being, carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency into the issue of hydraulic fracturing and its impact; the persons and the bodies that are parties to this research; the other institutions that are involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32484/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) Joint Research Programme is a comprehensive programme of research directed at examining the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing, which was 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? and

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

This research programme is co-funded by the EPA, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) with oversight from a broad based Steering Committee comprising the EPA, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, DCENR, the Geological Survey of Ireland, the Commission for Energy Regulation, An Bord Pleanála, NIEA, the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, and the Health Services Executive.

In May 2012 the EPA published the outcome of a small-scale study commissioned from the University of Aberdeen called “Hydraulic Fracturing or ‘Fracking’: A Short Summary of Current Knowledge and Potential Environmental Impacts”. This preliminary research project together with a public consultation in 2013 contributed to shaping the terms of reference for the comprehensive joint research programme currently on-going.

I can once again confirm that no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing, as part of any unconventional gas exploration and extraction programme, until there has been time to consider the outcome of this EPA research.