A wake-up call on fracking dangers

THERE is much controversy and disquiet concerning the planned hydraulic fracturing gas extraction (fracking) in the North West and parts of Kerry, Cork, Limerick and Clare.

Much is being made of the promise of some jobs and investment. I think we need to consider the bigger picture here. The two largest industries in Ireland, which together employ over 300,000 people, are agriculture (output over €5bn every year) and tourism (foreign exchange earnings over €4.5bn every year).

These are both very sustainable industries, which can go on indefinitely if we look after them. And these industries are unlikely to be suddenly re-located elsewhere.