THE Sinn Féin MLA whose Private Members Bill to ban fracking passed the First Stage of the Assembly at the end of November is confident it covers all forms of fracking.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Áine Murphy, took on the Bill when she replaced Sean Lynch at Stormont and brought it to the First Stage of the Assembly last month.

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in the scrutiny of the future of fracking in Northern Ireland from anti-fracking activists who claim the Onshore Fracking (Prohibition) Bill does not go far enough, and that it will not be passed by the end of the Assembly’s mandate.

Speaking after the introduction to the Assembly of the Bill to outlaw the practice, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: “I was delighted to bring a Private Members Bill to the floor of the Assembly.

“If passed, this Bill will outlaw the exploration and extraction of petroleum by fracking. This will also mean an effective ban on fracking across the island and will bring the North into line with a similar ban in the rest of Ireland.

“This Bill is about protecting our environment and protecting people’s health and well-being. Fermanagh has been threatened by fracking for more than a decade. This Bill, if passed, will bring an end to this threat.

‘Vast majority are opposed’

“The vast majority of people in Fermanagh are opposed to any plans which would see fracking commence in the county.”

She called on all constituents to contact their MLAs to urge them to support the Bill: “I would ask people to contact their MLA and urge them to support this Bill in the Assembly to ban all forms of fracking, once and for all.”

In response to concerns raised about the wording of the Bill, Ms. Murphy said: “The Bill seeks to ban all forms of fracking. The definition of ‘fracking’ in the Bill is consistent with terminology within the Petroleum (Production) Act (NI) 1964, and makes reference to both ‘shale’ and ‘strata’, which means a layer of rocks.

‘Environment’

“This Bill is about protecting our environment and protecting people’s health and wellbeing.

“Like the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Sinn Féin will continue to stand against fracking and its scientifically-proven dangers to our communities.”

In terms of the Bill and its progress through the Assembly, following its passing at the First Stage it now moves on to the Second Stage, which is expected in early January. Following that, it move to Committee Stage for the Economy Committee to scrutinise and make amendments, if needed.

To eventually come into law, the Bill will have to go through four more stages after the Committee Stage before it receives Royal Assent.