Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2012
99 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to allow additional preliminary or exploratory licences for fracking following publication of the Environmental Protection Agency report on this matter. [24615/12]
View answer100 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commission further reports investigating possible environmental, societal and community effects of fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24616/12]
View answer101 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to publish a green or white paper on fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24617/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 101, inclusive, together. Last week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a report of preliminary background research it had commissioned into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction. This research study was carried out by the University of Aberdeen. The EPA proposes to commission further, more extensive, research on hydraulic fracturing in 2012 and representatives from my Department and the EPA are developing the scope for this study, having regard to the findings of the University of Aberdeen study.
I do not believe that publishing a green or white paper now would be of benefit. Instead I propose a way forward based on obtaining further and more detailed scientific advice, as is envisaged with the proposed second study to be commissioned by the EPA in the coming months. Until the results of that study are available and have been considered, I will not make any decision on any application proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing.
