Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
612. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how much has been spent to date on the study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency on the environmental impact of unconventional gas exploration and extraction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44077/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is co-ordinating the Joint Research Programme into the potential environmental impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction (UGEE), the research programme is being co-funded by the EPA, my own Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The costs of the first phase of the Joint Research Programme were estimated at just over €1m. The three commissioning bodies committed approximately €1.25m in funding to the research project. While my own Department has committed €0.5m to the project, these funds have not been paid out as yet.
