Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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89. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the terms and remit of the study by the Environmental Protection Agency on the environmental impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction, particularly in view of issues raised by a number of environmentalist groups regarding the companies involved in the research consortium, and concerns regarding the fact that no independent external review is planned, as of yet, for the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38981/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The Terms of Reference for this research programme were agreed by a broadly based Steering Group. The draft Terms of Reference had earlier been published for consultation and more than 1,300 submissions were received.

The EPA and the Steering Committee reviewed the submissions and the draft Terms of Reference were amended and strengthened after this public consultation.

As is usual in major and broad ranging projects such as this, the project team involves a wide range of expert institutions and companies. CDM Smith is the lead consultant in the consortium engaged to carry out the programme of research and that consortium includes the British Geological Survey, University College Dublin, Ulster University, AMEC Foster Wheeler and Philip Lee Solicitors, each offering a particular specialism required by the project scope.

I am aware that there has been some comment on the fact that internationally, CDM Smith has provided expert advice to oil companies involved in the development of unconventional gas resources. I should point out that CDM Smith has also provided advices to State bodies and regulatory agencies across its area of expertise.

As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, it is common that a broad range of parties will seek to draw on the specialist expertise available from a firm such as CDM Smith. The fact that disparate entities seek to draw on such expertise, is generally seen as an indicator of a company's recognised experience.