PLANS to start fracking in Fermanagh appear to have moved up a gear, with the gas company behind the controversy significantly increasing its online presence.
Tamboran Resources Ltd have began a social media campaign, tweeting under the handle ‘@FermanaghGas’.
The account outlines what they say are the benefits of gas exploration in Fermanagh, a practice that will involve hydraulic fracturing, best known as ‘fracking.’
Most posts, many of which link to www.fermanaghnaturalgas.com, refer to what they say are the financial benefits of the fracking.
However, some tweets heavily imply the practice of fracking would be more aesthetically pleasing and more environmentally friendly to Fermanagh than using wind
and other renewable energy sources.
Interestingly, the @FermanaghGas Twitter account was set up in June 2018, but it’s first post was not until May 7th this year, when Tamboran announced it had made a fresh application for a gas exploration licence in Fermanagh.
Cllr Donal O’Cofaigh from Belcoo Frack Free said this suggested Tamboran had been planning on making the new application for some time. It was a move anti-fracking campaigners in Fermanagh had feared since Tamboran dropped legal challenges regarding a previous application.
“I’d say this has been coming down the chute for a long while, it’s only been made public since after the council elections,” he said.
Regarding the social media posts, Cllr O’Cofaigh said , “It is a fairly transparent attempt to give a gloss to what is a private for-profit industry, it’s only intent on dividing our community,” he said.
With an environment minister, and thus an Executive and Assembly, needed to sign off on Tamboran’s application it is unlikely it will be granted anytime soon. If the incoming minister does grant it, Cllr O’Cofaigh said the people of Fermanagh would be out on the streets in even greater numbers than before.
“The opposition would be even stronger this time,” he said.
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