Fight against fracking requires All-Ireland approach
Fracking refers to Hydraulic Fracturing, a process of extracting gas from geological formations beneath the earth’s surface. It involves the pumping of a high-pressure mix of water, chemicals and sand into the rock to create openings so that gas can seep out into deep wells. There are serious concerns regarding it’s environmental, social and economic implications. Most worryingly, fracking contaminates nearby groundwater with carcinogenic chemicals. This pollutes water systems and the air we breath, impacting the health of people and biodiversity in local areas. The process could potentially cause small earth tremors leading to the destruction of nearby environment and infrastructure and also uses an extensive amount of water which has a significant environmental cost. However, fracking does not just have disastrous consequences for those in the locality, it’s effects spread out an enormous distance and would devastate the Irish environment, north and south of the border.
The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Act 2017 banned fracking in the 26 counties following an application by Tamboran Resources Ltd. to carry out the process in Co. Leitrim. This bill was supported by the Environmental Protection Agency who found that fracking has the potential to damage both the environment and human health. Nonetheless, this ban will be rendered invalid if Tamboran are granted permission to carry out the process in Co. Fermanagh as requested. This plan will have devastating consequences for people across the 32 counties as the proposed drilling site is close to both Lough Macnean and Lough Melvin. Evidence confirms that fracking pollutes the air and water sources, releases methane and damages agriculture and tourism. It should be permanently banned across the whole island of Ireland.
Sinn Féin and Ógra Shinn Féin are opposed to fracking and any project that could act as a gateway for fracked gas to enter the Irish energy mix. Fracking is an environmental catastrophe and should not be tolerated to any extent. The consideration of fracking as an option distracts energy firms and governments from investing in renewable energy sources. Thus, encouraging a continued reliance on fossil fuels. This is not a sustainable alternative and prioritises capital gain over the health of the planet and its people.
The Climate Crisis can only be tackled on an all-island basis and thus, Irish Unity makes sense if we are to efficiently combat it. The measures undertaken to address this crisis in the 6 counties will inevitably affect those living in the 26 counties and vis versa. The laws concerning fracking are just one example of this. The division of our island will continue to undermine the efforts made each side of the border until we are united and working towards our common goals.
- Le Amy Collins, Oifigeach Timpeallachta