Sinn Féin has slammed the Conservative Party for giving the go-ahead to fracking projects in the north east of England.

Linda Dillon MLA said the party is showing its "dogmatic commitment" to dirty fossil fuels.

She said: "For our part Sinn Féin remains resolutely opposed to fracking anywhere on the island of Ireland.

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"We have consistently opposed fracking and will continue to do so.

"We must explore other forms of sustainable and renewable energies instead of being tied to outdated and environmentally damaging methods of the past."

Green Party representative Tanya Jones said: "The government has ridden roughshod over the wishes of local people. This sends an ominous warning to the rest of the UK.

"It is clear that in its drive to continue to promote fossil fuels at the expense of renewable energy, the Conservative government only has the interests of big business at heart."

(CD/LM)