Green Party MLA Steven Agnew has hit out at DETI MInister Arlene Foster's letter of complaint to the Co-Op after it sponsored a showing of the documentary Gasland followed by a panel debate on Fracking in Belfast recently.

It has emerged that the Minister wrote a critical letter of complaint accusing the Co-Op of presenting a one-side argument against the controversial process to extract shale gas which is currently being explored in Northern Ireland after her Department issued exploration licences for both Fermanagh and the Rathlin Basin.

"It would seem that Minister Foster does not want any open debate around the topic of Fracking," Mr Agnew said.

"She was invited by the Co-Op to participate in the discussion following the showing of the documentary Gasland but declined to do so, so she actaully turned down the opportunity to present her thoughts on this issue.

-- Advertisement --

"I think that means she is in no position to complain when opinions contrary to her own are being expressed.

"Gasland is not, nor ever claimed to be, the start or end of the topic- it is simply a human story of communities living close to Fracking sites in the States and it is a good place to open the debate.

"This process could potentially impact on everyone in Northern Ireland therefore in the interests of democracy, open debate is needed so that everyone can be appraised of the facts and the potential risks involved.

"For a Minister to contact a private company, which it is also worth noting is a major employer in Northern Ireland, to express her displeasure that it created a space for democratic debate is very worrying as this could easily be interpretated by some as Ministerial bullying.

"When anyone challenges the Minister in the Assembly on this issue she has simply attacked them and to me this indicates the fragility of Minister's position that she cannot engage in reasoned open debate on Fracking in Northern Ireland.

"I can say that my and my Party's opposition to Fracking is based not on the documentary Gasland, but on the solid scientific evidence which has proven it to be a risk to health, environment and the communities in which it is located.

"I think the fact it is being banned in other countries across Europe and even some States in the US speaks volumes."

(CD)