Different attitudes to fracking

Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00 0 Comments

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Dear Sir, - At their council meeting recently (9th Jan 2012) councillors from Co. Fermanagh voted 14-9 (with 5 abstaining from the final vote) against fracking.

The same day, Councillors in County Clare voted unanimously to ban fracking in their county. They went further and put a motion "to commence the process to amend or vary the current Clare County Development Plan in the interest of proper planning and sustainable development, that all intrusive fracking/shale gas extraction-related activity be halted pending the introduction of a regulatory national and European oversight that does not contravene existing European directives".

A few weeks ago, Councillors in the Vale of Glamorgan (South Wales) have unanimously rejected an application to test drill for shale gas in their county in Wales. Interestingly this committee was made up of 10 Conservatives, 5 Labour, 2 Plaid Cymru and 2 Independents.

There are many similarities between these areas: farming, tourism, natural resources, sparse population, unspoilt scenery, caves, lack of job opportunities, etc...

In the past our group has been accused of scaremongering, however the above examples show clearly our concerns are replicated in other parts of the UK or Ireland. It doesn't matter where you live or what political party you support, fracking, if allowed, will potentially have detrimental effect on:

The environment we live in: water and air quality,

Agriculture and agri-food industries,

Tourism and outdoor recreation development,

Health of the present population and future health of our children,

Our rural way of life,

The value of our property (commercial or residential).

If you are concerned please visit our website for further information, or if you want to get involved in one of the local groups.

Yours faithfully,

FFAN

(Fermanagh Fracking Awareness Network)

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12

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