A historic Bill to ban the practice of onshore fracking in Ireland has passed, becoming the first Private Members’ Bill to pass through the current Dáil in the process.
The Bill –brought by Sligo-Leitrim TD Tony McLoughlin – has received support from across the political spectrum since its introduction in June 2016.
Fracking is used to extract onshore natural gas from areas rich in shale rock. It involves the pumping of a high-pressure mix of water, chemicals and sand into the rock to create openings so that gas can seep out into deep wells.
A recent Environmental Protection Agency study states that fracking has the potential to damage both the environment and human health.
The Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment also found that fracking opens up the potential for chemical spills, leaks and groundwater contamination.
Deputy McLoughlin, who represents Sligo-Leitrim, said his Bill – which gained support across the political spectrum – will protect hundreds of thousands of people from the harmful and damaging effects of fracking.
Large shale and other tight sandstone deposits are found across counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal and Clare.
“If it was ever permitted to occur in Ireland, counties such as Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Clare could end up seeing damaging effects like many effected cities and towns in the United States,” Mr McLoughlin said.
“This is a special moment for me and the people I was elected to represent,” said the Sligo-Leitrim Deputy. “This Bill will ensure that the environment and communities in the West and North West of Ireland are protected from the effects of hydraulic fracking.”
Mr McLoughlin lauded the “rapid pace” at which the Bill passed through the Dail, reserving special praise for a number of local and national groups.
“I want to thank Minister Sean Kyne and Denise Naughton, Kate Ruddock of ‘Friends of the Earth’, Mr Eddie Mitchell and the entire active committee of ‘Love Leitrim’, Aideen McLoughlin, Liam Breslin and all the members of the Good Energies Alliance,” he said.
“I now eagerly await its passage through the Seanad and the final signature of the President.”
The Bill was originally expected to pass the final stage of the Dail last Wednesday, however, was delayed due to a debate about the exclusion of off-shore fracking from the Bill.
An amendment in relation to including off-shore fracking brought by People Before Profit Alliance TD Richard Boyd Barrett were defeated this morning.
While outlining his support for the passing of the Bill, Mr Boyd Barrett indicated his frustration on Twitter that the countries three leading parties blocked his amendment on twitter.
Brilliant! Ban on fracking passed in Dail. Furious that FF/FG & SF join 2gether & block our amendment to include offshore #banfracking
— Richard Boyd Barrett (@RBoydBarrett) May 31, 2017
Sinn Fein withdrew a similar amendment to allow the passage of the Bill in its current form. The Bill will now move on to the Seanad.
