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Pat Rabbitte Julien Behal/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Rabbitte orders review of fracking in response to concerns

The possibility that hydraulic drilling could be carried out in the northwest has raised concern among environmental activists, residents, and politicians.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Agency (EPA) is to conduct a study into the effects of so-called fracking in response to concerns raised in recent months.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte has asked the EPA to examine fracking following concerns raised by residents in the northwest, environmental activists and politicians about the possible effects of drilling for natural gas in the region.

Fracking is short for ‘hydraulic fracturing’ and involves extracting natural gas from pockets deep in underground rock by drilling down and across before pumping in a liquid known as ‘fracking fluid’ in order to eventually extract the gas.

Some of the chemicals contained in the fluid and how it is disposed of have raised concerns but its estimated that the extraction of such gases could be worth tens of billions of euro.

Two energy companies Tamboran Resources and Langco (Lough Allen Natural Gas Company) have been licensed to carry out initial studies on the viability of gas extraction in parts of Cavan, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo leading to concerns in those areas.

Rabbittee has responded to those concerns by ordering the review. He told the Seanad yesterday:

We need to have debate on this subject who is well informed on many dimensions including the scale of valuable resource reserves that may lie under Irish soil as well as the various impacts of extraction.

At present there is currently very little European experience of the process. For this reason I have asked the EPA to examine the area and advise me and colleagues in Government on the environmental implications of fracking.

“What is clear is that there is no immediate cause for concern. It is worth noting that the Department has not received applications for, nor licensed the use hydraulic fracturing in the Irish onshore at this time,” he added.

The decision was welcomed by Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resourcues, Eamon Ó Cuív, who said yesterday: “There is real concern that this method of shale gas extraction could cause serious and irrevocable damage.

Rushing ahead with the issuing of licenses without fully understanding the effects of fracking would be a serious mistake that could put the entire Shannon waterways at risk.

Explained: Everything you ever needed to know about fracking >

Read: ‘Serious concerns’ over gas drilling in Lough Allen area >

Column: The argument for fracking >

Column: The argument against fracking >

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25 Comments
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    Mute Darren Flynn
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    Oct 6th 2011, 3:17 PM

    For anyone unaware of the damage already caused by fracking in North America, I highly recommend the documentary Gasland.

    Director of Gasland, Josh Fox, interviewed on PBS.
    http://video.pbs.org/video/1452296560/

    Gasland on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/28254102

    40
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    Mute poppysmith
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    Oct 6th 2011, 3:25 PM

    Doesn’t matter what people down the West say or do where gas is concerned. We’ll be told what to do. They let these companies come in and destroy special areas of conservation and pollute everything in sight. The people have no rights. To hell or to connacht hey. That’s certainly how the powers that be see it. I wonder would the highest pressure pipeline in the world be allowed in Dublin, equally would they allow fracking to go ahead? The safety standards of many of these companies are appalling.

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    Mute Robert LYNCH
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    Oct 6th 2011, 3:55 PM

    I hope you are incorrect poppysmith and this review is thorough. In its simplest possible form fracking, by definition, is the breaking up of underground rock so as to release gas. For me it seems incomprehensible that the majourity of this released gas would flow back up a pipeline to the surface. The gas when released is under pressure and surrounded by fractured rock, presumably most of it escapes into the environment causing local pollution and global warming. This technique for gas drilling may be cheap for the energy companies’ pockets but I cannot see how, even in its simplest form, it cannot seriously damage the environment – not to mention all the chemicals that are usually used in the process.

    22
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    Mute Sue Anthony
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    Oct 7th 2011, 2:42 PM

    Review my ass, its a case of lets make it look lie we did something and then ignore them anyway.

    1
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    Mute Paddy O'Reilly
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    Oct 6th 2011, 3:32 PM

    Strange, I thought fracking was what a human and a cylon did bed.

    15
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    Mute Cathal Henry
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    Oct 6th 2011, 3:42 PM

    and what the energy companies do to the environment

    12
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    Mute John Murray
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    Oct 6th 2011, 4:12 PM

    I agree watch GASLAND for the real low down on fracking!

    Millions of gallons of â

    13
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    Mute Adam Magari
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    Oct 6th 2011, 4:44 PM

    Corrib Mark II in the offing. Sometimes, it seems as though Ireland is still pre-industrial revolution in attitudes.

    13
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    Mute fhat
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    Oct 6th 2011, 5:51 PM

    And south Donegal plus Fermanagh, the Fermanagh issue more complicated as the DUP Arlene Foster in her wisdom across the border granted the licenses without any debate or discussion with her colleagues in Stormont, she is a current minister also former farmer and works on behalf of N.Ire tourist board also believed to be in the company of a Tony Basley another con artist who in his past was involved with the Eco park the area they want to destroy. Her refusal to make any comment has further angered concerned locals who want Sine Fein to fully implement the ban in which they have announced. We await future press release and statement concerning the Banning of Hydraulic Fracturing. For anyone who does not know much about this national issue please see No Fracking Ireland on Fbok read share and sign our on line petition Ty

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    Mute Tina Rock
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    Oct 6th 2011, 6:39 PM

    This Campain is to save Health..& well-being..Environment.. Wildlife & Flora, in Ireland. We will Campain to ensure our Water is SAFE !!! will the government keep theirs in the Interest of the Nations Waterways to ensure our Health..or will the Dollars win as have in the past….FRACK OFF FRACKERS.

    9
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    Mute Oil Foster
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    Oct 6th 2011, 8:23 PM

    Tina do you have electricity on your house? Do you use motorised transport? Do you wear imported clothes? If you do you are helping to destroy the planet, even making a post to this site contributes to your carbon footprint. For shame

    6
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    Mute Frank McMahon
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    Oct 6th 2011, 3:56 PM

    2 minute animation. Essential viewing – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj_7kt51iJc

    9
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    Mute What the Frack?
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    Oct 6th 2011, 6:43 PM

    Ban Hydraulic Fracturing for natural gas in Ireland on line petition
    PLEASE SIGN http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban-hydraulic-fracturing-for-natural-gas-in-ireland/sign.html

    8
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    Mute Rob_ONeill
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    Oct 6th 2011, 7:02 PM

    No to fracking .. I urge everyone to watch Gasland ..

    9
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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Oct 6th 2011, 8:48 PM

    Any fracking attempts should be responded to with resistance. Time to those these fucks that they serve us the people, and not the other way around. We decide what happens to our resources, and whether or not something is too dangerous.

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    Mute jackass ireland
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    Oct 6th 2011, 5:55 PM

    Geez I hope he didn’t tear a muscle picking up the phone to make that call. Probably took 5 minutes out of his lunch and everything. He’ll be hailed an environmental hero.

    Actually, he probably had a staffer do it. Nevermind.

    8
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    Mute Aydo
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    Oct 6th 2011, 5:48 PM

    Seen that documentary, scary stuff

    8
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    Mute Adam Magari
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    Oct 6th 2011, 10:36 PM

    To Hell with oil, gas, coal and peat generated power, jobs, warmth, comfort, standard of living. Why not sleep in the open, drag the newborns from those technologically advanced incubators, take a hammer to energy consuming CAT scanners, burn every computer and mobile phone,and get back, right back to short life span Dark Ages. Good ok’d Ireland, leading the way behind as usual.

    6
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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Oct 6th 2011, 11:59 PM

    There are safer ways to obtain resources. How about we frack in your back garden?

    5
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    Mute Oil Foster
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    Oct 6th 2011, 8:21 PM

    The Luddites are alive and well and living in rural Ireland.
    Do people believe everything they see or read?

    5
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    Mute Big John
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    Oct 6th 2011, 10:22 PM

    So you’d be happy with this on your doorstep oil?

    This is a dangerous form of harvesting gas, simple as. People have a right an are justified in their defence of their own health and well being. But I’m sure you’re more concerned about the economic implications of fracking.

    Are you disputing what has been exposed in gasland? If so please enlighten, and please refrain from oil and gas industry sponsored research.

    5
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    Mute What the Frack?
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    Oct 6th 2011, 11:23 PM

    Lecture; Dr. Anthony Ingraffea, The Facts On Fracking,
    March 23, 2011
    by Kristian Boose
    .Cornell University professor Anthony Ingraffea spoke at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania late in 2010.

    Ingraffea speaks from the viewpoint of scientific, technological and engineering fact.

    This is an excellent overview of the drilling and fracking process from a very well respected professional in the educational field.

    This lecture on unconventional natural gas drilling was hosted by The Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSWmXpEkEPg&feature=player_embedded

    4
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    Mute suzanne rigby
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    Oct 7th 2011, 2:21 AM

    Please watch and share this also
    Check out this video on YouTube:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76VOnzXQMsU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    3
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    Mute Luke Ashley
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    Oct 8th 2011, 3:35 PM

    Global Ban on Hydraulic Fracturing

    https://www.facebook.com/GlobalFrackingBan

    1
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    Mute Noel Carroll
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    Oct 7th 2011, 1:30 AM

    I thought Pat Rabbitte had become aware of an impending Cylon invasion or had found evidence that members of the cabinet were actually Cylon!

    1
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