The quarry site where fracking was due to take place RMG03
BREXIT could be very bad news for the future of a fracking-free Fermanagh, campaigners have warned, as the South takes yet another step on the road to outlawing the practice completely.
Last week a bill a historic bill bannin gonshore fracking was passed in the Dail, which is good news for our neighbouring counties, and makes Ireland the third EU country to ban fracking outright, after France and Bulgaria.
While the banning of fracking in neighbouring counties will be good news for Fermanagh, one local campaigner has warned Brexit could mean the chance of the practice taken place here could be increased with Brexit.
“The picture for Fermanagh isn’t so bright,” said Tanya Jones of the Green Party.
“Most of the environmental protections which limit fracking come to us from Europe, and could be lost by Brexit. We know that this Tory government is very much in favour of fracking, and has no hesitation in imposing it against the will of local people and local councils.”
Ms Jones added the lack of an Assembly in Stormont could make matters even worse.
“In the event of a period of direct rule, I fear that the threat of fracking could return to Fermanagh,” she said.
Sinn Fein’s Jemma Dolan also welcomed the ban, but she too insisted the fight must go on.
“However the battle against fracking goes on. We need a similar ban in the North. It is no good if fracking is banned in Leitrim but allowed here in neighbouring Fermanagh. We need an all Ireland approach.
Late last year former SDLP MLA Richie McPhillips introduced a similar private members in the Assembly bill that would’ve banned fracking in the North, however the Executive collapsed before the bill could be considered.
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