The Green Party NI Leader has called for a ban on fracking after the DUP Economy Minister failed to rule out allowing fracking on agricultural land in Northern Ireland during Question Time in the Assembly this afternoon (Monday 6th December 2021).
Clare Bailey MLA said: “Minister Lyons has failed to rule out allowing fracking on agricultural land in Northern Ireland. Fracking is a high risk form of gas extraction, and can result in pollution and contamination of the surrounding land, as well as adding to our greenhouse gas emissions.
“If fracking is allowed to happen on Northern Ireland’s agricultural land, the resulting pollution and contamination risks devastating the rural economy. The DUP need to put the interests of Northern Ireland’s rural communities and our environment first, and commit to banning fracking.
“In the Assembly today, Minister Lyons also failed to clarify if the leaked executive summary of the Hatch Report is accurate. It’s unacceptable that despite tens of thousands of pounds of public money being spent on it, the full report remains hidden from public scrutiny. In the interest of basic transparency and accountability, the Minister should publish the full report as soon as possible.
“Time and again, the five-party Executive has failed to respond to the climate crisis with the urgency it requires. Now is the time for Executive Ministers to show some leadership, stand up to fossil fuel corporations, and ban oil and gas exploration in Northern Ireland.”
ENDS
Media contact: Jack O'Dwyer-Henry (07504410770)