NI Conservatives’ economy spokesman, Johnny Andrews, has warned Stormont’s environment minister not to allow “populism and ignorance” to cloud a realistic debate about fracking for shale gas in Northern Ireland.
“Mark H Durkan’s decision to stop an exploratory borehole, intended to find out if fracking is viable in Belcoo, is worrying”, Johnny explained. “Ministers have a duty to look carefully at the evidence and make a balanced assessment, but in Northern Ireland we have an Executive which often prefers to take easy and populist decisions instead. The debate around fracking has become far too emotional, with campaigners paying very little attention to experts or scientists, which is why we need Mr Durkan to take a more thoughtful approach.”
“Right through the Executive, parties are at sixes and sevens on this issue, with little clear thinking and no sign that difficult decisions will be taken for Northern Ireland’s future. Every effort should be made to ensure that fracking in Fermanagh and the rest of Northern Ireland can only go ahead if it is safe and environmentally friendly. That means rigorous environmental assessments for any potential fracking sites, as well as a thorough system of licensing and regulation. However we can’t ignore the possible benefits of shale gas, on the basis of blind prejudice and very dubious evidence.”
“In the US energy costs are now half of what we pay in Northern Ireland, thanks mainly to fracking. Shale gas emits less carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels and is therefore better for the environment. The Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineers, Public Health England, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and many others, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all agree fracking is safe.”
“Northern Ireland is struggling to get its economy moving, with competiveness lagging behind the rest of the UK, and energy prices and fuel poverty are a constant concern. It would be irresponsible for the environment minister to block fracking on the basis of little more than populism and ignorance. Refusing to allow a company to even explore the potential of shale gas is not an encouraging sign that he will treat the issue with suitable seriousness.”