Fury as minister speaks in favour of fracking
Environment Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd said if there was any chance of untapped gas being there, the Government must take account of it being a massive economic boost.
He addressed general concerns over proposed fracking, or hydraulic fracturing in Clare and the north-west. He said: “We import most of our energy and if it became possible to create thousands of jobs then that prospect would be worthy of consideration.”
Clare Fracking Concerned spokeswoman Roisín Ní Ghairbhith said: “We are dismayed by what the minister had to say. No one has been able to demonstrate to us that fracking is completely safe for the environment and a ban on fracking in France only underlines that.
“We have little faith that Government will address the concerns of communities where fracking is proposed and that big business will be allowed to override local concerns.
“It won’t be the Irish Government that will earn billions of euro, but overseas’ private companies.”
Deputy Timmy Dooley (FF) claimed fracking had the potential to turn west Clare into “a wasteland”.
The state has granted three onshore licensing options to private companies in west Clare and the north west to test if those areas have the potential for fracking.
A Canadian-run company, Enegi Oil, is examining the feasibility of carryingout fracking in the Clare basin.
Earlier this month, Clare Co Council agreed to put in place a fracking ban in Clare and Mr Dooley called on the Government to move “at the earliest possible opportunity to implement a nationwide ban on the process of fracking”.
Mr O’Dowd noted that the previous government granted the licensing options. He said: “The earliest an application could be made is early 2013 and the earliest exploration drilling could be considered is 2014.”
