The Green Party has repeated its call for a national ban on fracking.

The party said following controversies surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report on fracking, they are distracting from the real issue.

Green Party candidate for Sligo Leitrim, Leslie O'Hora, said the negative impacts of fracking are well known.

She said: "The health and environmental implications that fracking will have on our rural communities is unacceptable. Fracking pollutes the water supply, uses toxic chemicals in the process, and is hugely energy intensive.

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"Focusing on fossil fuels is the last thing we should be doing now. The Green Party remains resolutely opposed to fracking on the island of Ireland. We see no benefit whatsoever to the Irish people and it will destroy our reputation as a clean food growing island and our tourism.

"While it may provide short term economic gain to a few multinationals, the State will be left to clean up the toxic legacy of this wasteful and energy inefficient industry. We are concerned by the indifference shown by our Taoiseach in Paris this week to the threat of climate chaos.

"If he secures a second term in office it is our fear that he will embrace the fracking industry against the will of the people."

(CD/JP)