SDLP Fermanagh District Councillor Brendan Gallagher has had his call for a ban on hydraulic fracturing in the county passed by council.

Cllr Gallagher also proposed that the Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, place a moratorium on the fracking licence granted to Tamboran resources.

Speaking after the SDLP motion was backed, Cllr Gallagher said: "The fact that the SDLP motion against fracking has been passed shows the extent of the concern within the county about this process.

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"People are fearful about the impact hydraulic fracturing may have on our environment and our health with worries about noise and air pollution, water contamination, irreversible damage to our landscape and the link between fracking and seismic activity.

"With our local economy heavily reliant on agriculture and tourism, we are very concerned that these sectors may be put in jeopardy should something go wrong.

"From the outset Tamboran Resources said that fracking had the potential to create 700 jobs but there has been no guarantee that these jobs will be sourced locally or that harmful chemicals will not be used in this process."

(CD/GK)