FOLLOWING concerns raised by a protest group group about the submission made by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) to a key study around fracking, parties with elected representatives on the council have given their view on the issue.

In their submission to the study carried out by Hatch Regeneris on behalf of the Department for the Economy, FODC submitted correspondence from Belcoo Frack Free and a letter stating the Council opposed fracking.

Cross-Community Labour Alternative Councillor, Donal O’Cofaigh, tried to arrange an emergency meeting of the Council so it could make a detailed submission to the Hatch review highlighting the range of concerns over fracking.

This had been supported by Independent councillors – Josephine Deehan, Emmet McAleer and Eamon Keenan – but did not reach the required threshold of having the support of eight councillors or the Council chairperson.

Alliance Councillor Stephen Donnelly also gave his support to the proposed emergency meeting, saying: “Given the strength of feeling that exists about this issue, particularly in Fermanagh, I wrote to the Chief Executive to express Alliance’s support for a special Council meeting to explore any additional options for strengthening and reiterating the opposition of our residents to fracking.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Siobhán Currie said that at an informal meeting between the researchers and councillors, a “strong submission” was made against fracking.

“Sinn Féin councillors, and indeed all councillors present, reiterated the Council’s anti-fracking stance,” the Erne North Councillor said.

“We also called on the researchers to engage with local groups. It is important that their voices are heard. A number of local groups have made strong submissions, which are very welcome.”

Councillor Currie pointed out that Sinn Féin brought a motion to FODC in 2014 opposing fracking, and nothing has changed since then, and that both her party and FODC oppose fracking.

“Unfortunately, the Council does not have the power to ban fracking.

“At the Assembly, where legislation is set, Minister Diane Dodds was unwilling to introduce a [fracking] moratorium, despite the calls coming from ourselves and other parties.

“My party colleague, Seán Lynch MLA, has tabled a Private Member’s Bill, which has already been through public consultation and initial stages and is progressing swiftly.”

The Erne North Councillor believes that this Bill is much further through the process than anything that could potentially come from the research project that Minister Dodds’s Department is currently doing.

“We said at the start that this research project was a waste of taxpayer’s money. Here in Fermanagh, we don’t need expensive research to tell us that fracking is bad for our environment, bad for our health, and bad for our economy.

“Nonetheless, we have made our submissions and our voices heard once again. We will continue to do that on behalf of our community until the Sinn Féin bill to ban fracking is passed.”

A spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh DUP group said: “The Council was invited to a consultation session by Hatch Regeneris and DfE Minerals and Petroleum Branch.

“Our grouping was represented at this meeting, where parties and the Council had the opportunity to put forward their concerns in respect of fracking.

“The Council as a corporate body has also responded by voicing its opposition to fracking in the district.”

The spokesperson also described online commentary on the Council’s actions as “mistruths” and “unhelpful”, and said the DUP group will engage fully with all stages of the process set out.

UUP FODC leader, Victor Warrington, said his party were opposed to fracking due to environmental concerns, and said they were “satisfied that Council policy is correct”.

Adam Gannon, of the SDLP, said he was happy the Council has made its opposition to fracking clear on multiple occasions and in the Local Development Plan, as submitted to the Department for the Economy.

“It is necessary, in our opinion, for the Council to meet with Hatch Regeneris in a formal setting which the public will be able to view, and the SDLP will be requesting that this meeting goes ahead as soon as possible, to allow the Council to make further contributions to Hatch Regeneris.

“An ‘in-person’ meeting with Hatch Regeneris, in which councillors can make contributions and submissions, will be much more impactful and allow for the openness and transparency requested by local community groups.

“The SDLP has always had a strong opposition to fracking, and will continue to oppose fracking,” he said.