Fracking ban vital after Paris opt-out

Seamus Enright

The local TD whose anti-fracking Bill has been widely supported before the Dáil says the legislation is all the more important for Ireland given US President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the US from the Paris climate agreement.

“We must all do our part now to protect the environment, and must do whatever we possibly can to protect Ireland. It goes to show the Bill is more important now than ever before,” says Sligo-Leitrim TD, Tony McLoughlin.
Deputy McLoughlin's anti-fracking Bill, which now goes before the Seanad is all the more significant in that it was the first Private Members’ Bill to be passed by the current Dáil. He says the Bill will protect the future of hundreds of thousands of people from the effects of hydraulic fracking.
“The Bill ensures the environment and communities in this area are protected from the effects of hydraulic fracking.”
Introduced in June 2016, Deputy McLoughlin's Bill has passed through the Dáil at rapid pace.
“If fracking was ever allowed in Ireland, counties across the west and north-west, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan included could suffer the same damaging effects as many cities and towns in the US where hydraulic fracturing has occurred. Already there are many places around the world who, like us now have decided to implemented similar bans,” he warned.