To frack or not to frack? The issue of fracking is creating a huge stir in Ireland at the minute, especially in the border counties. And with good reason … If fracking goes ahead, areas likely to be affected will include Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Antrim. Clare, Limerick, Cork and Kerry are likely to be affected too.
What is fracking? Fracking is short for ‘hydraulic fracturing’ – a highly industrial process involving pumping a mixture of water, sand and chemicals under huge pressure into gas-bearing rock.
Minister for Energy in the Republic, Pat Rabbite, claims to have an open mind on the practice and says the government’s approach will be determined by the outcome of research being carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency into its effects on the environment and health. That research will not be completed until the end of 2014 and Mr Rabbitte says no decision on issuing licences will be taken until then.
He says that decisions on fracking will be made on “sound scientific evidence”. However, he has also said that he believes the economic impact of the shale revolution in the US should not be underestimated.
So what are the main concerns?
The main concerns re fracking include
- Huge water usage with a risk of contamination of surface and underground water
- The industrialisation of the area being fracked with drilling pads every two kilometres
- Air pollution due to volatile chemicals and methane being released into the atmosphere
- Damage to roads and infrastructure caused by increased truck traffic
- Climate change, due to release of methane into the atmosphere
- Potential risk to Ireland’s reputation as a clean green country, as a major food exporter and tourist destination
- Studies in the US have shown significant long-term human health risks associated with fracking
Many countries in Europe have already banned the practice of fracking. Should Ireland and the UK follow?
Inform yourself by checking out these website:
Republic of Ireland – http://frackingfreeireland.org/ and http://what-the-frack.org/
To sign a petition to ban fracking in Ireland go to http://nofrackingireland.wordpress.com/
Northern Ireland – http://www.frackaware.com/wordpress/ and http://notofracking.com/
Do you want to join an anti-fracking group? There are a number north and south of the border. You’ll find details on the above website.
Click here to read an interesting article written by Lynn Benson, a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Ireland, who lives in Co Fermanagh and who is particularly concerned about the issue of fracking.