Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) tender for a two-year research programme into fracking.

The programme will further the understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from fracking projects/operations (including construction, operation and aftercare).

This all Ireland research programme, funded by EPA, the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), aims to provide further evidence on the potential impacts of fracking operations in Ireland.

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This research will involve extensive reviews of practices worldwide and it will be supported by baseline-monitoring throughout Ireland. It has been designed to produce outputs which will assist regulators (North and South) in fulfilling their statutory roles regarding this activity should any aspects of it be permitted.

Commenting on the research programme Minister Durkan said: "I welcome this research. There is still much that we have yet to find out about the impact of fracking on the environment and on human health. Robust research on this island and across the world will help to fill in the evidence gaps.

"I have been clear in my position. Granting permissions relating to fracking operations will only take place when it has been supported by very strong evidence which indicates that fracking is safe for public health and the environment.

"I fully recognise that to do otherwise given the scale of ongoing research, would not reflect good governance. I would also highlight that no decisions have been taken in relation to permitting fracking. No planning applications or applications for environmental permissions have yet been received."

(CD/MH)