“STOP THE STUDY” – Rising to a new Challenge
21/10/2015 by geaireland Leave a Comment
At a most successful meeting in Glenfarne last Saturday, attended by over 120 people, the case for opposing the so-called research study on fracking in Ireland coordinated by the EPA was made clear. The meeting started with a number of speakers giving the case for concern. This was followed by a panel discussion and plan of action.
Speakers
Panel of speakers
Dr Carroll O’Dolan, GP in Blacklion, living in Belcoo, County Fermanagh, member of FFAN (Fermanagh Frack Free Network). Carroll gave an overview of the fracking industry, and spoke about what is now known of the Health Impacts of fracking.
Tom White, Engineer, member of Belcoo Frack Free, Love Leitrim and GEAI. Tom discussed the volue of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and what was discovered as a result of his work with FOI.
Vanessa Vine, member of Sussex No Fracking and BIFF (Britain and Ireland Frack Free). Vanessa spoke about the UK experience and how government was colluding with the industry.
Dr Aedín McLoughlin, Director of GEAI and member of Environmental Pillar Steering Committee. Aedín gave an account of what has been discovered regarding the EPA research study, how it has been taken over by the oil/gas industry and how there has been cover-up of the the near absence of independent research.
Summary of facts
A summary of the main facts put before the meeting include:
• The Research Study has been contracted to a group led by CDM Smith, a U.S. consultancy providing services to the oil and gas industry and former member of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
• Amec Foster Wheeler is also a major player in the study. Amec is a UK consultancy firm, currently member of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, whose clients include BP, Shell, BR Petrobras, KNPC, Ontario Power Generation, GDF Suez and ExxonMobil.
• These two companies are developing the vast majority of the study, which is in essence a study being written by the industry for the industry.
• We were told that Irish Universities would have a major role, guaranteeing independence. Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) pulled out of the consortium in October 2014 and were never part of the research team (despite a Joint Oireachtas Committee (JOC) being informed otherwise by EPA in June 2015); UCD and University of Ulster (UU) have only minor roles to play. Serious questions must be asked in this regard.
• There is unacceptable secrecy surrounding this research. Interim reports are not being made public; no public participation is allowed before the final report is published; no independent external peer review is planned.
• THIS STUDY IS NOT INDEPENDENT YET IS PLANNED TO INFORM GOVERNMENT POLICY ON FRACKING. It is NOT focussed on policy but on process – it is not looking at whether Ireland should permit fracking; instead it is looking at how impacts of fracking can be mitigated by regulations. It is therefore not fit for purpose.
• Current plans (October) include the issuing of tenders for seismic tests and air and water monitoring in the NorthWest, on both sides of the border, setting up monitoring stations and providing valuable information to companies currently applying for exploration licences.
DEMANDS
1. We call on Government, in particular the Minister for Environment and Minister for Energy, to direct the EPA to STOP THE STUDY related to the “Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction (UGEE)” immediately and to cancel the issuing of supplementary tenders for on-the-ground seismic tests and other monitoring tasks relating to this work.
2. We call for a review of the health impacts of fracking that considers the findings of all relevant peer-reviewed studies and reports, based on the methodology of the NY State Health Commission Report (December 2014), to be carried out by the Chief Medical Officer, under the auspices of the HSE and the Department of Health.
NEXT ACTIONS
A PUBLICITY EVENT will be organised to take place in Dublin, outside Leinster House, on Thursday 5th November at 12 noon. The aim of this event is to raise our concerns with politicians and to put our demands before them.
For the next two weeks, an email and letter-writing campaign will take place targeted at specific TDs and Senators.
Filed Under: Global News Tagged With: EPA, fracking, GEAI, Glenfarne, CDM Smith, Amec, Seismic tests
OIL/GAS INDUSTRY IS WRITING EPA STUDY ON FRACKING!
10/10/2015 by geaireland 1 Comment
A ridiculous situation
As no doubt you are aware, the Irish EPA are coordinating a 2-year Research Study on Fracking in Ireland. This was to be an independent study to advise Government (North and South) on fracking.
It has now e
merged that the two main contributors to the study – CDM Smith and Amec Foster Wheeler, are both consultants to the oil and gas industry, and Amec Foster Wheeler is currently a member of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. Two Universities involved, U.C.D and UU, have minor roles and Queen’s University Belfast has pulled out of the research.
This is patently ridiculous. We cannot expect unbiased research from consultancy firms who support fracking operations. The research, instead of “furthering our understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from UGEE projects/operations” (Terms of Reference), is based on how to regulate fracking, rather than whether it is safe and should be allowed at all. Impacts of fracking on public health are not included in the study.
This study is not fit for purpose. The Ministers for Environment and Energy have consistently stated that no decisions will be made on fracking until the research study is “completed and considered”. This is no longer acceptable given the situation that this study is seriously flawed and its independence is questionable, at the very least. We are looking for you to support us in calling for suspension of the study immediately, and a review of the Public Health impacts of fracking to be commissioned, modeled on the study done in New York State.
PUBLIC MEETING
A Public Meeting is being held on Saturday 17th October at 7.30pm in Ballroom of Romance, Glenfarne to discuss the situation. The meeting will be addressed by national and international experts followed by a panel discussion. We hope that you will be able to attend and that you will bring along anyone else who can offer support.
Filed Under: Global News Tagged With: Amec Foster Wheeler, Ballroom of Romance, CDM Smith, EPA, fracking, public Health impact, UGEE
GEAI supports Leitrim County Council anti-fracking motion
13/05/2015 by geaireland Leave a Comment
Good Energies Alliance Ireland strongly supports the anti-fracking motion passed by Leitrim County Council by an overwhelming majority on Monday 11th. The motion, submitted by Mary Bohan (FF) calls for a “a vote of no confidence in the CDM Smith’s consortium of researchers appointed by the EPA to carry out the research programme in relation to fracking”.
CDM Smith is a pro-fracking organisation, involved with shale gas companies in Poland and Canada, the Irish Times revealed last month. The EPA-administered research opposed by the Council is led by CDM Smith. It will last for another year, with final reports due in September 2016. “The problem is that the research study is led by the industry, which is not qualified to do public health studies and whose findings would be suspect”. GEAI director Aedín McLoughlin said.
“We are delighted that this motion got such support by Leitrim County Council. It shows that the councillors are prepared to stand behind the ban on fracking they imposed last year and will not support an investigation of fracking that is carried out by a company with vested interests”, GEAI director said.
“This motion also called for research on fracking to be carried out by the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer”, McLoughlin said. “This should consist of an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the public health impacts of fracking. We have been asking for this since we know the truth about CDM Smith”, GEAI director stated.
New York State banned fracking after a review of the Public Health impacts of Fracking by the Department of Health, followed by consideration of the review and a full ban on fracking by New York State Governor Cuomo. “ We want the same in Ireland” Aedín McLoughlin concluded.
Filed Under: Local news Tagged With: Aedín McLoughlin, Canada, CDM Smith, Department of Health, EPA, fracking, GEAI, Good Energies Alliance Ireland, Governor Cuomo, Ireland, Leitrim, Leitrim County Council, Mary Bohan, New York, Poland, The Irish Times
GEAI calls for study of Public Health impacts of Fracking
17/04/2015 by geaireland 1 Comment
GEAI members are very concerned about the recent revelations concerning the main contractor (CDM Smith Ireland) of the EPA-led research on Fracking, as published in an article by Ronan McGreevy in today’s Irish Times.
“The confirmation of strong links between CDM Smith and the oil and gas industry calls into question the independence of the researchers and the trustworthiness of any research results,” said Dr Aedín McLoughlin, spokesperson of GEAI. “This research study was initially proposed to assist Government to make policy decisions about fracking in Ireland. Instead what we have is a study led by a company engaged in promoting fracking in Europe and focussed on developing regulations that could enable the fracking industry to operate in Ireland. There is no policy dimension at all in the study.
The main issues of concern to us all are the impacts of fracking operations – exploration and development – on Public Health. The vast majority of submissions to the EPA concerning this research demanded a full study of such impacts and only lip service is currently being paid to those demands.
We now call on the Government to immediately commission a full study of the Public Health impacts of Unconventional Hydrocarbon Exploration and Extraction, led by the Public Health Division of the Department of Health and HSE, including a review of all peer-reviewed literature on the subject such as was carried out in New York State recently. Such a study is vital to the development of policy on Fracking. ”
Filed Under: Local news Tagged With: Aedín McLoughlin, CDM Smith, EPA, fracking, public consultation, Public Health, Ronan McGreevy, The Irish Times
Decisions on fracking in Ireland delayed until after 2016
06/11/2014 by geaireland 1 Comment
In 2012, the Government decided that no decisions on granting exploration licences for fracking would be made until a comprehensive research study would be done, coordinated by the EPA. Public consultation on the Terms of Reference of this study was carried out in 2013 and over 1,300 submissions were received by EPA, largely coordinated by GEAI. This delayed the process considerably and the contracts to carry out the 24-months study on the “Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE)” were only issued last August. It is ironic that this is exactly the same month when Tamboran was stopped from drilling their first borehole in Fermanagh!
Interim reports on the research study will be given, possibly at 6-month intervals and definitely at the end of Year 1 and Year 2. These reports will be given at public events, giving an opportunity for public engagement and discussion. The final outputs of this research will not be published until end 2016. This means that no decisions on fracking can be made in the Republic before 2017.
The consortium that will carry the research is led by the management company CDM Smith Ireland Limited. Queens University Belfast, British Geological Survey, University College Dublin, University of Ulster, AMEC, and Philip Lee Solicitors are also part of the consortium.
The 24-month research programme is composed of five interlinked projects and will involve field studies (baseline monitoring of water and seismicity) in Clare, Leitrim and Fermanagh, as well as an extensive desk-based literature review of UGEE practices worldwide. The ‘key questions’ the research programme sets out to answer are:
Can UGEE projects/operations be carried out in the island of Ireland whilst also protecting the environment and human health?
What is ‘best environmental practice’ in relation to UGEE projects/operations?
The campaign against fracking is, in general, not satisfied with those parameters. The majority of submissions asked for a Health Impact Assessment of proposals for fracking be carried out. This was not agreed and is not included in the final Terms of Reference. Also, the research is too much focussed on the capacity of regulations to limit the impacts of fracking.
However, the study will provide more scientific information on the geology of target sites and potential environmental impacts of fracking in Ireland.
Fracking in the North
Despite the delay in the South, fracking projects are still going through the planning process in Northern Ireland.
Tamboran Resources Ltd is seeking a judicial review of the Fermangh licence termination. The case has been listed in Belfast High Court for this month (November). Counsel for Minister Arlene Foster has asserted that an expired licence to carry out exploratory shale gas drilling cannot be reinstated through a legal challenge.
InfraStrata is ready to drill in Woodburn Forest in spring 2015, beside Carrickfergus (Co. Antrim). The company denies the use of fracking on the site because “geology is not suitable”. This means that hydraulic fracturing will not be used in the initial exploration drilling. This statement does not guarantee that fracking will not be used during its entire project. Any on-shore extraction of oil and gas has profound and extensive impacts on the environment and on communities.
Rathlin Energy is also ready to drill in Ballinlea, near the Giant’s Causeway. They have completed their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and will be submitting that to the Council. They also plan to commence drilling in early 2015.
Leitrim should follow Donegal’s example
01/12/2013 by geaireland 2 Comments
How has Donegal prevented fracking while Leitrim is advised that a ban is not feasible? READ ON…
The Leitrim County Development Plan 2015 – 2021 is at draft stage and does not in its present version impose a ban on fracking. At present, its policy on mineral and extrative industries (Policy 69) is “”It is the policy of the Council to promote the mineral, gas and oil extractive industries where such development does not adversely impact on the environment, existing infrastructure and the amenity value of neighbouring lands.”
It is the view of GEAI members that this policy statement is not strong enough and does not give the message that proposals for fracking in Leitrim will not be allowed to go ahead.
It has a section (3.7.12.9) that emphasises the “significant public concern in respect to the social, economic and environmental impacts that may be associated with hydrocarbon exploration and extraction by means of fracking.” The piece goes on to talk about adopting the precautionary principle in respect of development where significant environmental implications are involved… It also points out the wish of the Council to “Safeguard and nurture the ‘unspoilt/green’ image and reputation of Leitrim…”
Is this enough? We do not think so – the issue of Fracking is far too serious to be addressed by generalised comments on “image and reputation”, no matter how well-meaning. In New Brunswick, there were many discussions that focussed on precautionary principles, but these have not stopped fracking from commencing (Chief Medical Officer’s Report).
The Councillors have had advice both from the County Manager and outside legal advisor that Councils cannot put into their Development Plan policies that go against Government policies. The absence of a national policy on Fracking is considered to be an indication that it cannot be banned unilaterally. However, Donegal County Council have managed to get around that problem. They have inserted the following policy statement into their Development Plan:
“It is a policy of Donegal County Council that the process of Hydraulic Fracturing (or fracking) will not be permitted within the County of Donegal. Therefore, this Council will not allow the intrusive shale gas extraction practices.”
What this does is specify the process of hydraulic fracturing in Donegal ONLY. This is very clever. By focussing on the process in its own territory, it is not contravening Government policy, while (of course) completely preventing the shale gas industry from operating in Donegal, since they cannot do that without hydraulic fracturing!
LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL SHOULD FOLLOW DONEGAL’S EXAMPLE.
Filed Under: Local news, Shale gas News, Uncategorized Tagged With: County Development Plan, Donegal, Donegal County Council, EPA, fracking, GEAI, Leitrim, Leitrim County Council, New Brunswick, shale gas
EPA Terms of Reference “Amended and Strengthened”
24/11/2013 by geaireland Leave a Comment
Terms of Reference of EPA research study on Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE)
Making your voice heard matters! In response to over 1,300 submissions, a ‘Health Expert’ is now on the Steering Committee for the research study. The final Terms of Reference (ToR) for the EPA study were published on 22nd November. There are many amendments to the draft version, indicating the high quality and impact of the submissions. Significant changes to the Terms of Reference include:
1. Human Health
A new section has been added to the ToR to clarify and clearly define the scope of the proposed research in relation to Human Health. • A Health expert has been invited onto the Steering Committee. • The potential role of Health Impact Assessment in regulation of UGEE projects/operations is to be studied and recommendations made towards developing a protocol in the island of Ireland context.
2. Life Cycle of UGEE
The full life-cycle of hydraulic fracturing activities, as well as off-site and other developments, is to be included in the study. • The Key Research Questions have been amended to:
Can UGEE projects/operations be carried out in the island of Ireland whilst also protecting the environment and human health?
What is ‘best environmental practice’ in relation to UGEE projects/operations?”
The cumulative environmental impacts arising from the entire lifecycle of UGEE projects/operations will be compared with those from other energy sources (including renewables). • With regard to impacts, the assessment should take into account commercially probable scenarios. • The Revised ToR now has a specific requirement to take account of the Irish context for references and comparisons to UGEE experience in other countries.
3. Water and Chemicals
The Revised ToR have been extended to include surface waters and implications for local, regional and national resources, the water requirements for UGEE projects/operations is to be evaluated as well as groundwater and surface water resource availability. • The Final Report should include a comprehensive list of all chemicals known to have been used in UGEE projects/operations. • If chemical-free fracking is included in the research, it should be clearly pointed out where and for how long such methods have been used on a commercial basis, stating whether there are any peer-reviewed studies into the impacts associated with these methods to the environment and human health.
4. Monitoring
A study on Air Quality monitoring requirements is to be included. • The research will assess the concept of the monitoring to be carried out by State agencies versus by industries.
Full Terms of Reference document
“What You Said and how We Responded” – EPA responses to Public Consultation Submissions
Synopsis of Responses with Comments by AMcL
Filed Under: Local news, Press Release, Uncategorized Tagged With: EPA, Fossil Fuels, fracking, GEAI, health, Health Impact Assessment, Ireland, public consultation, shale gas, submissions, UGEE, water
Tell the EPA US to Investigate Fracking Contamination!
07/08/2013 by geaireland Leave a Comment
Exclusive by DeSmogBlog
DeSmogBlog (Los Angeles Times) has obtained a copy of an Obama Administration Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fracking groundwater contamination PowerPoint presentation describing a then-forthcoming study’s findings in Dimock, Pennsylvania.
The PowerPoint presentation reveals a clear link between hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for shale gas in Dimock and groundwater contamination, but was censored by the Obama Administration. Instead, the EPA issued an official desk statement in July 2012 – in the thick of election year – saying the water in Dimock was safe for consumption.
The EPA has also shut down fracking investigations in Wyoming and Texas. The early results of all three investigations showed that the EPA had evidence linking gas drilling and fracking operations to groundwater contamination; yet instead of protecting people in these areas, the EPA ignored its own scientific data and abandoned the investigations.
Food and Water Watch have now put out a call for everyone to send a message to the EPA.
Fill out the form [click HERE] and edit the message as you wish. They will deliver your messages to the new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and President Obama to make sure the EPA does its job.
It is said of Gina McCarthy, the new EPA Administrator, “Gina McCarthy… has worked for and with both sides of the aisle to forge common-sense and science-based solutions to protect children, seniors, and the public health from dangerous pollution.” Let us ask her then, as a priority, to re-open these investigations and fearlessly publish their findings.
Filed Under: Global News, Uncategorized Tagged With: Barack Obama, DeSmogBlog, Dimock, EPA, Food and Water Watch, fracking, Gina McCarthy, Los Angeles Times, Pennsylvania, shale gas, Texas, water, Wyoming
“We Deserve Better” all-Ireland Campaign
04/06/2013 by geaireland 2 Comments
ACTION IS NEEDED NOW
Stop Drilling and Fracking in Fermanagh!
Email the First Minister and Deputy First Minister IMMEDIATELY.
The following text is suggested:
I call upon the Northern Ireland Executive to impose a suspension of the licensing process and all drilling or fracking associated with unconventional gas exploration in Northern Ireland in line with the Government of the Irish Republic, who are refusing to issue Exploration Licenses until the EPA all-Ireland Research Studies on the Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction are completed and considered.
Email it to: Peter Robinson: peter.robinson@mla.niassembly.gov.uk Martin McGuinness: martin.mcguinness@mla.niassembly.gov.uk
FACTS
The new EPA-directed research study “The Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE)” is a North-South initiative. The Steering Committee includes representatives from the Geological Survey NI, DOE (Department of Environment) and DETI (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment). As well as representatives from Geological Survey of Ireland, Petroleum Affairs Division, Department of Energy and Dept. of Environment.
Over 1,300 submissions on the draft Terms of Reference for this study were received by the EPA; 600 of these came from Northern Ireland, showing the concern of the NI people.
In the Republic, the Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte, has confirmed that no Exploratory Licences, which allow drilling and fracking, will be issued until this study is completed and considered (probably 2015). He has said many times that more research needs to be done to establish the safety of fracking, especially in relation to public health.
People in Northern Ireland are not being given the same protection! DETI has issued an exploration licence for Fermanagh which incorporates a work programme, including drilling and fracking. The Northern Ireland Government has refused to state that it will wait until the research is completed before allowing drilling and fracking.
Tamboran are planning to commence drilling in Fermanagh this year!
It is NOT OK to put the people of Northern Ireland at risk! The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to the same protection as people in the South The exploratory work programme must be stopped!
Email the Ministers! Lets have 5,000 emails in their inboxes this week and show our strength! And follow this up with emails to all other politicians!
Filed Under: Local news, Uncategorized Tagged With: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Department of Environment, EPA, exploratory licences, Fermanagh, fracking, Geological Survey of Ireland, Ireland, Martin McGuinness, moratorium, Northern Ireland, Pat Rabbitte, Peter Robinson, shale gas, submissions, Tamboran, UGEE
A serious gap in the decision-making process on fracking
21/04/2013 by geaireland Leave a Comment
How fracking transforms land (Photo: Huffington Post)
Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte, gave a speech on 17th April in Royal Irish Academy which confirmed that, despite 1,300 submissions being made to the EPA, the majority of which demanded a study of the health impacts of fracking, the proposed research study on fracking is confined to identifying “best practice in respect of environmental protection for the use of hydraulic fracturing techniques”.
This excludes the stages of pad construction, drilling of wells, gas extraction and treatment, gas transport and site reclamation, all of which add their own risks to communities and to health. It is therefore far too restrictive. Many submissions made to the EPA pointed out this fact. Why is the Minister not listening to the people?
It is also extremely disturbing that no health study is proposed despite the clear wishes of the people. The EPA study, as described, appears to be an exercise designed to pave the way for fracking. The project proposed for Leitrim would take over vast tracts of land and industrialise them, changing the landscape and way of life for its communities forever. No regulations or “best practice” would be able to prevent contamination risks to ground and surface water, air pollution, noise, disturbance and accidents.
Minister Rabbitte went on to state that “The shale revolution is a game-changer”. We dispute this. Shale gas does not change the game of burning fossil fuels; it is not clean energy, despite the propaganda of the oil/gas industry; it is not a sustainable source of energy, disappearing once the gas is extracted; the gas produced would belong to the industry, not to the people, and would be sold on the international market at the market price. Fracking will NOT bring cheap gas to Ireland, nor will it make us energy-secure.
Good Energies Alliance Ireland believes that we should be moving forward on the path towards making Ireland carbon-neutral by 2050 and ensuring that all decisions made on energy sources, uses and allocation of resources reflects this priority. Shale gas is not the answer!
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a recent report that “Governments have the power to create markets and policies that accelerate development and deployment of clean energy technologies, yet the potential of these technologies remains largely untapped.”
Ireland has a choice – to go down the fracking route and destroy our rural communities and international reputation or be a world leader in the move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources.
Will the EPA include a Health Impact Assessment in the new research study?
15/03/2013 by geaireland Leave a Comment
Over 1,300 submissions were received by the EPA concerning the proposed Terms of Reference for their new Research Study on fracking. The majority of those demanded a study on the impacts of Health on the whole process of fracking.
Among many other individuals and groups, GEAI demanded a full Health Impact Assessment (HIA). We believe that only this can give a true picture of the impacts of fracking on health and the community. Attention is now turning to the process of scoping and carrying out this study. One of the rights of individuals under the Aarhus Convention (ratified by the Irish Government last year) is public participation in environmental decision-making:
“Arrangements are to be made by public authorities to enable the public affected and environmental non-governmental organisations to comment on, for example, proposals for projects affecting the environment, or plans and programmes relating to the environment, these comments to be taken into due account in decision-making, and information to be provided on the final decisions and the reasons for it.”
Two conclusions can be reached:
1. Since most of the submissions received looked for Health impacts to be studied, the EPA now has to either agree to this, or give the reasons why not.
Indications are that they have agreed to include some form of Health study but the public must be informed as to what kind of study is proposed and we can demand input into this decision as well. Nothing less than a full Health Impact Assessment would be adequate.
2. There are fundamental flaws in the process by which this study is being managed.
There is no representation from the target communities on the Steering Committee managing this study; neither are there members from the Departments of Health or Agriculture.
There is no accountability to the public since the EPA and associated organisations have immunity from prosecution.
There are no further proposals to enable the public affected to comment on amended Terms of Reference, the scope of the research study, or draft reports.
The “public consultation” we have had, although a step in the right direction, is not enough. The public MUST be involved at every stage of this extremely important study. We have seen how public opinion and lobbying can influence Government decisions. We now must demand input into the research study process.
Picture: Glass of milky brown water in Dimock, Pennsylvania (From Marcellus Protest)
Filed Under: Local news, Shale gas News Tagged With: Aarhus Convention, Clare, EPA, Fermanagh, fracking, health, Health Impact Assessment, Ireland, Leitrim, Northern Ireland, Public Health, UGEE
Demand that government removes EPA immunity from prosecution immediately
03/03/2013 by geaireland 3 Comments
A national meeting in Leitrim of groups and individuals campaigning against shale gas extraction last Saturday was delighted to welcome Jessica Ernst, a Canadian scientist taking a court case against the oil compangy, Encana.
Jessica joined in a discussion regarding the new study being commissioned by the EPA at present and the invitation to make submissions on the study’s Terms of Reference. The meeting was told that the EPA’s immunity from prosecution removes any responsibility by them for decisions made, based on the report, that would impact on the environment or on public health.
Jessica emphasised the importance of writing letters to Government and local representatives. “A hand-written letter is worth dozens of type-written letters that you just sign. They pay attention to all letters personally written. Send thousands from the campaign, make your voices heard,” she said.
1. That any response to the call for submissions on the proposed Terms of Reference for the research study “ Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction” should include a demand for this immunity to be removed immediately by an Act of the Oireachtas.
2. That until this immunity is removed, the Research Study should not be considered.
Relevant paragraphs in EPA Act 1992:
Para 15 – Immunity of Agency
“No action or other proceedings shall lie or be maintainable against the Agency or any body referred to in section 44 or 45 for the recovery of damages in respect of any injury to persons, damage to property or other loss alleged to have been caused or contributed to by a failure to perform or to comply with any of the functions conferred on the said Agency or body.”
Para 16 – Indemnification of Director General, directors and other persons.
“Where the Agency is satisfied that the Director General or other director or authorised person appointed by the Agency, or any other employee of the Agency has discharged his duties in relation to the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions in a bona fide manner, it shall indemnify the Director General or other director or authorised person of the Agency or any other employee of the Agency, against all actions or claims howsoever arising in respect of the discharge by him of his duties.”
Relevant statements:
EPA Review report (2010) stated: “…doubts have been expressed about the constitutionality of this immunity and whether it is compatible with obligations arising under the European Convention on Human Rights. The Review Group concluded that the absolute nature of the EPA’s immunity … should be revised, as appropriate, when the opportunity arises.”
Phil Hogan, Minister for Environment: “The review recommended that immunity from prosecution, as applicable to the EPA in carrying out its functions, be reconsidered. As set out in the implementation plan, I propose to consider this issue, which is likely would require primary legislation if it is decided to progress it in the latter half of 2013.” (June 6th 2012)
See our page about EPA public consultation and our press releases: “EPA proposed fracking research ignores public health” and “EPA report on fracking just a whitewash?”
Filed Under: Local news, Shale gas News Tagged With: Canada, EPA, fracking, Ireland, Jessica Ernst, Leitrim, Phil Hogan, public consultation, submissions
[Press release] EPA proposed fracking research ignores public health
06/02/2013 by geaireland 1 Comment
Press release 03.02.13
“Public Health is an essential aspect of any research study on fracking,” states Dr Aedín McLoughlin of Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI). “Whereas globally, attention is focussed on the environmental impacts of fracking, health does not depend on a clean environment alone; social and economic factors are also important, e.g. living conditions,