NEWS that fracking has been effectively banned in Northern Ireland has been cautiously welcomed locally. 

 

On Monday Environment Minister Mark H Durkan announced in his strategic planning policy statement (SPPS), which deals with planning policy, that the North would implement a ‘no fracking’ policy that would “only change in the future if the Department is satisfied that there is sufficient and robust evidence on all environmental impacts of fracking.”

 

Mr Durkan added the move was important as “significantly for the first time no fracking is actually enshrined in policy.”

Frank Duffy of ‘Ban Fracking Fermanagh’ said he was “very pleased” to hear of the move, stating it was “one step closer to an outright ban.”

 

Mr Duffy said the anti-fracking movement was now gathering momentum and politicians were “starting to listen.” “Mark Durkan has taken out views on board and has done the right thing,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard an MLA, Sammy Wilson, criticising him for it. This is for our children’s future.”

 

Cllr Raymond Farrell, who chaired a UUP working group on the issue, said he also agreed with Stormont’s current no-fracking policy.

“We got a lot of different opinions and it is my considered judgement that there are still a lot more questions than answers,” he said.  

“If fracking is safe and economically viable than any reasonable person would have to accept it. However, I still have very significant concerns about the risks it poses to our environment and to people’s health.

 

“As a health practitioner myself, and from reading a lot of literature about it, I am not convinced as to its safety. Ultimately, as a councillor, I believe the health and well being of the community cannot be on balance with economic gain.

 

“If in the future we get more evidence to say otherwise, we should look at it again. For now, I agree with this current decision.”