Belfast Telegraph: Fracking in Fermanagh: As for shale gas companies, tell them to frack off

The process of hydraulic fracturing used to extract shale gas is a contentious issue across the world. The proposal to frack Fermanagh has met with considerable opposition in the local area and across Northern Ireland.

The USA has been voracious in its desire to exploit its shale reserves while countries such as France have actually banned fracking.

The environmental risks of fracking are well established; potential contamination of drinking water and air pollution with the increase of greenhouse gas emissions a certainty if shale gas reserves are exploited.

Those in favour of fracking claim that these are risks worth taking. One of the key claims is that fracking will bring economic benefits such as lower energy prices, but this is an empty promise.

Gas supply in Northern Ireland is connected to the rest of Europe by pipelines. Gas is freely traded in this European market, meaning that the whole continent pays very similar prices. The addition of shale gas extracted from Northern Ireland would be the equivalent of a drop in the ocean in terms of its impact on price.  MORE