The fracking debate continues to dominate not only political circles at Stormont but also communities locally where those in West Fermanagh in particular are weighing up the pros and cons of potentially such a major development.

With the drilling company, Tamboran, laying out its plans to begin test drilling shortly, saying they have acquired sites to enable them to do this, the anti-fracking lobby are pushing hard to persuade those in authority in Northern Ireland not to grant drilling licences.

For many people the topic is so complex that they feel they have not been given enough information at this stage to determine whether fracking would economically benefit Fermanagh or destroy its unique landscape. Certainly if fracking licences were issued, environmental controls on the operators would be extremely tough.

However Fermanagh’s underground network of rivers and streams which helps support a vast ecological system, could be vulnerable if the right location was not chosen for development. The geology of the area must be fully explored before allowing drilling to depths of thousands of feet.

The pro-fracking lobby will point to the industry in the United States where jobs and wealth were created in those areas where fracking took place. The anti-fracking lobby however look at the risks to health and the environment from such widespread drilling.

It is interesting to note that while the Northern Ireland Executive has yet to make a decision on the future of fracking here, the Government at Westminster is said to be stepping up its search for shale gas and oil in virtually every county of England with the overall aim of reducing energy prices in the future. Communities in England where fracking takes place have been promised financial benefits by shale gas companies during initial exploration with a further percentage of the revenues if fracking succeeds and gas is produced.

Locally, the immediate concern of the anti-fracking movement is where test drilling will be taking place. Some of them have warned landowners that the first port of claim in the event of a pollution incident would be against contractors and landowners. The message to those getting involved in fracking would appear to be to check out the legal and financial aspects before putting pen to paper.