The European Commission (EC) has been lobbied over constituency concerns surrounding the use of the controversial gas extraction technique called hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking' as it is more commonly known.

Sinn Féin MEP, Bairbre de Brún has written to the EC after four new licenses were granted allowing gas and oil companies exploratory fracking rights in NI.

Ms de Brún said: "Given the major environmental impacts fracking could potentially have on the local area it is imperative that Environmental Impact Assessments are taken before exploration commences and I have written to the Commission in this regard."

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"In America, the use of fracking has been reported as the cause of heavy contamination of drinking water with dangerous gases and chemicals which is clearly a serious concern for public safety and agriculture for any possible projects in Ireland.

"Furthermore, it has been stated by seismologist experts that two earthquakes which happened earlier this year in the northwest of England were connected to the fracking exploration which had begun in the area.

"It is extremely worrying that governments are permitting potentially very dangerous and environmentally unsound gas exploration to take place without full environmental impact assessments and at a time when we should be investing our efforts in searching for clean, safe and renewable energy sources."

(CD/BMcC)