Tuesday 21 September 2020
Green Party MLAs Clare Bailey and Rachel Woods have submitted an Assembly motion calling for a moratorium on all onshore petroleum licensing in Northern Ireland.
In 2011 the Assembly passed a motion on the moratorium on onshore and offshore exploration, development and production of shale gas by withdrawing licences for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in Northern Ireland.
However, the threat of onshore fracking continues with the Economy Department announcing funding for a study on petroleum exploration last week.
Green Party NI MLA Rachel Woods said: "This motion calls on the Assembly to reject the dangerous and environmentally destructive practice of fracking.
"Shale gas must be left in the ground and our focus shifted towards the just transition to a low carbon economy.”
ENDS
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Full text of the Assembly motion below:
“That this Assembly reaffirms the moratorium that was placed on the onshore and offshore exploration, development and production of shale gas by withdrawing licences for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in Northern Ireland in 2011; recognises the moratoria in England, Scotland and Wales and the ban on fracking in the Republic of Ireland; notes that fracking can put local water sources at risk of contamination; acknowledges the evidence from affected communities that shows adverse health impacts reported by residents living near gas drilling sites; and calls on the Executive to commit to a moratorium on all onshore petroleum licencing, and bring forward legislation that bans drilling and fracking.”
Rachel Woods MLA
Clare Bailey MLA