Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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57. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will call off the research project currently being carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency into hydraulic fracturing given there is no public health research or researchers with medical expertise included in the study and there will be no external peer review component to the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44801/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) on the environment and human health. It should be noted that the draft Terms of Reference for this programme were the subject of a public consultation process which resulted in an amended and strengthened scope for the programme, including a key recommendation that the potential impacts from UGEE on human health be considered as part of the project.

In this regard, the Tender Documents refer specifically to potential health impacts arising from impacts on environmental media, including exposure to chemicals, vibration, light, noise, and the potential pollution of environmental media including soils, air and water.

The research programme will also specifically consider the potential role of Health Impact Assessment in the regulation of UGEE projects and operations, based on the experience in other countries, and will make recommendations towards developing a protocol in an island of Ireland context.

However, I would like to stress that the requirement for Health Impact Assessment into UGEE, or otherwise, would only arise if an application to carry out a development proposing the use of this technology were being considered.

As I have advised previously, no application to engage in UGEE has been received in my Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of research directed at examining the potential environmental and human health impacts of hydraulic fracturing commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency; the position of the Government on hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44812/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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As I have advised previously, the all-island Joint Research Programme (JRP) which is being administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and co-funded by the EPA, my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency into the potential impacts from Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) on the environment and human health is on-going.

It is anticipated that the outcomes of this research programme will be published once the Steering Group, appointed to manage this programme, makes its recommendation.

There has been good progress made on the programme to date which is evident from the updates published by the EPA on its website.

I would like once again to confirm that no application to engage in UGEE has been received in my Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.