The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has nvited tenders for a two-year research programme to further the understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction (fracking) projects and operations, including construction, operation and aftercare.

While there is currently no exploratory or commercial drilling underway in relation to Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction on the island of Ireland, it is an emerging issue. The research programme has been designed to produce outputs that will assist regulators – both North and South - in fulfilling their statutory roles regarding any potential fracking activity. Research will involve an extensive desk-based literature review of Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction practices worldwide and some baseline-monitoring.

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In January 2013, there was a full public consultation on the Terms of Reference for the research and more than 1,300 submissions were received. The Terms of Reference were strengthened as a consequence of this consultation. The research programme now being commissioned will be funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

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