Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2011
25 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned that an attempt to use hydraulic fracturing to extract gas in the area known as the Lough Allen basin could have catastrophic consequences on the quality and reputation of our agrifood industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27911/11]
View answerI am aware that concerns have been expressed about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing and I take these concerns seriously. I would like to make clear, however, that my Department has not received applications for, nor licensed the use of, hydraulic fracturing in the Irish onshore at this time.
In February of this year, onshore Licensing Options were awarded to three companies over parts of the North West Carboniferous Basin and the Clare Basin. The Licensing Options are preliminary authorisations and are designed to allow the companies assess the natural gas potential of the acreage largely based on studies of existing data from previous exploration activity. This work is largely office/desktop based and does not involve exploration drilling or hydraulic fracturing.
By the end of the Option period in February 2013, the companies will have to decide whether to apply for a follow-on exploration licence or relinquish the acreage. I have made it clear that in the event any of the companies involved decide to apply for an exploration licence that proposed the use of hydraulic fracturing, the application would have to be set out in detail and be supported by an environmental impact statement. The application would then be the subject of an environmental impact assessment which would include a public consultation phase.
The environmental impact assessment would be broad and consider a range of potential impacts including an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed works on agriculture. My Department would also consult with other relevant statutory authorities such as the Environmental Protection Authority, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and local authorities before reaching any decision.
Work under these Licensing Options is at an early stage and it is too soon to conclude whether or not these authorisations will proceed to the exploration licence stage let alone anticipate a commercial discovery that could lead to a petroleum production project. Notwithstanding this, I have requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves as I believe that such research could be helpful.
