Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1097. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the advantages and risks of hydraulic fracturing and whether this practice is necessary to access natural resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10027/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

This all-island programme of research, which is being administered by the EPA, comprises five interlinked projects, including an extensive review of UGEE practices and regulations worldwide.

This scientific research programme takes account of 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.

The research programme has been designed to produce the scientific basis, which will assist regulators, both North and South, in making an informed decision about whether it is environmentally safe to allow UGEE.

It is my view that no decisions should be taken with regard to the use of this technology until the EPA led research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1098. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason he has not allocated additional funding to the Environmental Protection Agency in order for it to conduct the second stage of its investigation into fracking here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10030/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, the multi-agency trans-boundary programme of research on the potential impacts on the environment and human health from Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) projects is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and co-funded by the EPA, my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, with oversight from a broad based Steering Committee that includes my Department.

The Steering Committee took the view at the beginning of 2016 that it was an appropriate time to reflect on the overall timeline for the delivery of the research programme. The original timeline for the research envisaged that the entire programme, including work carried out under a supplementary tender, would conclude by late 2016. While elements of the research were timed to conclude in late 2015, the Steering Committee originally agreed that there would be a single point of reporting in late 2016.

Were the supplementary tender process, envisaged by the original Terms of Reference for this programme of research to be commenced, it is estimated that the overall research programme would not report until 2018 at the earliest.

Given this extended timeframe, and in the interests of making the finalised project information available as early as possible, the UGEE Steering Committee approached the consultancy consortium engaged to undertake the programme of research and agreed a revised scope of work to combine all of the work carried out to date into a meaningful synthesis report, which will be published once concluded. It is anticipated that this report will be published by year end. As it is not now proposed to proceed with a supplementary tender, the question of funding for such work does not arise.

It is my view that it would be appropriate to await the outcome of the synthesis report and take time to reflect on its findings.