Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
538. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has analysed the potential reputational damage for Ireland as a green tourism and agrifood country, given the introduction of hydraulic fracturing. [15349/16]
View answerIn coming to a view whether the use of this technology could be permitted in Ireland, it was considered necessary in the first instance to establish if it could be carried out in a manner that would not negatively impact on the environment and human health. A research programme has been put in place which is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with oversight from a broad based Steering Committee that includes my Department. The terms of reference for the research programme had regard to public consultation and relevant issues raised in the public consultation have been included in the scope of the research programme.
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. The Steering Committee has 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.
No application to engage in Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction has been received in the Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider the findings of the synthesis report. Any policy decision will be taken in the context of the objective of achieving a low carbon energy system by 2050.
