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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.
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It’ll be nice and cosy watching us beat England.
@Honeybadger197: I try everything to avoid football and the s#it# and here we are trying to get a football debate going. Feck off @Honeybadger there’s enough story’s in the past week to keep you happy.
@Alan Scott: That would be rugby Honeybadger is talking about and yes victory will be sweet!
@Alan Scott: story’s*….
@Alan Scott: Eh, the rugby Alan.
@Alan Scott: it’s rugby
@Honeybadger197: on a technical note its correct name historically is actually Rugby football.
@FanEMcGash: Go away you Idiot
@Shelly Levine: I don’t give a S#I#.
@Honeybadger197: don’t count me in your “us” I won’t be watching a bunch of silver spoon in the mouth self entitled idiots, not to mention the Irish captain going to court to show support for at the very least a bunch of sleazy low life’s
@Bart: You would be a great laugh at a party i’d say!
Was it not established his appearance in court that day was because “he was legally instructed to do so”
Also, self entitled? Care to expand further on that comment? What makes them self entitled?
Why are they idiots?
What silver spoon?
Your post seems little more than a bunch of random words thrown together with little to any thought behind them.
@Gavin Conran: Was he subpoenaed to attend ?
@Gavin Conran: Sometimes its best to avoid drivel like this. The poor lad is bitter and has a considerable chip on both shoulders.
@Alan Scott: Since when is Rugby called football.
Better than it raining (in my opinion) plus will make for a great memory and photos
That’s a Donnybrook forecast. It’s lovely here in the west.
Only one good thing coming out of this cold weather we are promised it is supposed to kill all of the flu bugs that we have with all this mild weather
@Alan Scott: What affect will it have on the shamrock ? just asking
Good god love the homeless again…
@Tony Mc Donald: They’ll have front row seats in the Gresham. Homeless my orse.
I like when snow accumulated in Easter areas…. :p
@Jesus Christ: you’ll be crucified with the cold!!!!
Liam Cunningham says “winter is coming”
I’ll be in my bed all day eating chocolate watching movies and chilling with my coola boola gf. Won’t be moving.
Oh the drama……
..it’s the 17th of March not the 12th of July, what do they expect… put a gansey and a big coat on and enjoy the day…
Might need to spray on some Deep Heat as well… Factor -10 (-:
At least we’ll have an outdoor fridge to keep the cans and flagans cold
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