# Fracking

All time

Opinion: Only a full ban can save Northern Ireland from the threat posed by fracking

Eddie Mitchell of Love Leitrim outlines concerns of border communities that fracking may be set to get back on the agenda in the North.

9.5k

Jul 1st 2021, 8:00 PM

Fracking not compatible with human rights law, says Irish study

A new report from NUIG’s Centre for Human Rights calls on the State to use its weight at the UN to push for a global ban on fracking.

11.6k

May 24th 2021, 8:15 PM

# ruffalo few feathers

Mark Ruffalo says fossil fuel companies want to 'junk Ireland up' with fracked gas

The Greens have brought in some Hollywood big guns to get the PfG over the line

47.0k

Updated

Jun 22nd 2020, 8:33 PM

# shannon LNG TERMINAL

Mark Ruffalo wrote to Varadkar to ask him to 'protect the American people' and block imported US fracked gas

In an email sent to the Taoiseach, the actor said Varadkar had ‘moral’ reasons to not support the import of fracked gas from the US.

33.2k

Jan 4th 2020, 6:00 AM

# Cork harbour

Taoiseach unsure if ban on foreign fracked gas would breach international trade law

Concerns have been raised about imported fracked gas being brought in to Ireland through the Port of Cork.

6.5k

Nov 27th 2019, 3:54 PM

# Fracking

Fracking halted in England over earthquake fears, UK government announces

The UK government’s new stance on the issue follows that of both Labour and Liberal Democrats.

17.9k

Nov 2nd 2019, 12:21 PM

# IRELAND'S ENERGY

'It's already the case that fracked gas is coming into Ireland from the UK' says Taoiseach

Varadkar said Ireland’s first LNG terminal in the Shannon estuary in north Kerry could be the answer to Ireland’s energy security.

12.8k

Nov 1st 2019, 6:05 AM

Voices

Saoirse McHugh: The Shannon LNG should not be considered any further by the government

The Shannon natural gas terminal could lock us into further decades of fossil fuel reliance.

19.4k

Oct 27th 2019, 9:00 PM

# Oil and Gas

'A historic day': Ireland on a path to being the 4th country in the world to ban fossil fuel exploration

Costa Rica, Belize and France have already implemented similar measures to end oil activity in their waters.

52.1k

185

Feb 8th 2018, 1:55 PM

# final stages

'A great victory': Onshore fracking is just one step away from being completely banned in Ireland

The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016 will be signed into law by the president in the coming days.

16.0k

Jun 28th 2017, 5:48 PM

Voices

Fracking: 'We argued and protested. We met at marts and concerts. We persisted and we succeeded'

This was never just about Leitrim though, or even climate change. It was about the health of communities, writes Scott Coombs.

892

Jun 17th 2017, 6:30 PM

# fossil fuel debate

Five-year report outlines dangers of fracking and 'underpins' proposed ban

A bill calling for the banning of fracking in Ireland passed its first stage in Dáil Éireann in October of this year.

9.4k

Nov 30th 2016, 6:01 PM

# frack off

Dáil welcomes Bill to ban fracking in Ireland

The Bill to ban the controversial fossil fuel exploration process has passed its first stage in the Dáil.

13.0k

Oct 27th 2016, 9:42 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Should fracking be banned in Ireland?

Environmentally problematic? Or a way to potentially tap into billions of euros?

23.7k

Sep 27th 2016, 8:51 AM

# Not on Our Watch

Leitrim farmers fear fracking, but researchers deny plan to drill

A local anti-fracking group has vowed to “halt this continuous onslaught on our communities”

15.9k

Jul 22nd 2015, 3:05 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Would you oppose plans for fracking in your area?

Farmers in Leitrim are mounting a campaign to oppose the practice.

17.0k

125

Jul 22nd 2015, 10:19 AM

# filling time

Enjoy the cheap petrol while you can because oil prices have probably bottomed out

Here’s why the price of the commodity is heading up again…

14.1k

Feb 16th 2015, 10:24 AM

New York to ban fracking over health fears

“We can’t afford to make a mistake. The potential dangers are too great.”

12.1k

Dec 17th 2014, 7:52 PM

# pump it up

Global oil has entered a 'new era' of oversupply - but don't expect much relief at the pump

The government is taking most of the money it costs to fill up your car anyway…

12.4k

Nov 10th 2014, 9:51 AM

# Fracking

Council set to reconsider controversial energy extraction stance

The introduction of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has been criticised for its potential environmental damage.

6.2k

Sep 15th 2014, 11:08 AM

# Fracking

There will be no decisions made on fracking in Ireland for at least 2 years

The department of Minister of State Joe McHugh has issued a statement in response the announcement by Mark Durkan.

6.9k

Aug 12th 2014, 12:39 PM

# belcoo

Frack off: Minister blocks test drilling in Fermanagh

Mark H Durkan says that full planning permission is required.

14.5k

106

Aug 11th 2014, 10:59 PM

# belcoo

Protests continue at Fermanagh drilling site as worker's home is petrol bombed

The Belcoo site has been home to bitter protests over the use of fracking.

11.4k

110

Aug 4th 2014, 3:50 PM

# Fracking

Emergency Leitrim Council meeting calls a halt to mining firm drilling in Belcoo

Communities claim that the drilling in Fermanagh is the first stage in the fracking process.

7.7k

Aug 1st 2014, 10:43 AM

# fracked

"We are not going to win overnight." - Anti-fracking activists as company prepares to start drilling

The company says no fracking will take place at the site in Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh.

7.6k

Jul 24th 2014, 9:42 AM

# Election 2014

Cannabis campaigner Mark Fitzsimons on being a 'protest vote' in May's elections

The Dundalk-based local and European elections candidate shares his thoughts on fracking, evictions and why cannabis should be made legal.

15.4k

Apr 21st 2014, 5:00 PM

Voices

Column: Will fracking be added to our energy mix? Ireland has questions to answer first

Until we have an honest discussion about the limited number of energy choices available – and the risks and rewards of each – we will remain entirely at the mercy of global forces, writes Alice Whittaker.

217

Mar 29th 2014, 12:00 PM

# Oireachtas agenda

Vintage cars, fracking and the Russian ambassador

Everything happening in Leinster House today.

6.0k

Mar 12th 2014, 9:00 AM

Voices

Column: Ireland can't replicate the US shale gas boom – and it shouldn't try

Ireland would like to replicate the US shale gas boom but geography, history, and lack of energy infrastructure will prevent this – and the risks to the economy might not be worth the benefit from any gas produced, writes John O’Donnell.

256

Mar 6th 2014, 7:30 PM

# Fracking

Leitrim county councillors vote to ban fracking

Though councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion, plans in the county can still be approved with one councillor who voted for the ban saying it was “basically a waste of time”.

9.5k

275

Jan 14th 2014, 11:02 AM

# Fracking

Pros and cons of fracking in Ireland to be examined by two-year research study

The EPA notes that although there are currently no hydraulic fracturing (fracking) projects under way in Ireland, the gas exploration method “is an emerging issue”.

7.9k

Nov 22nd 2013, 4:47 PM

# Banned

French court upholds ban on fracking

France banned the practice in 2011 over the objections of the oil industry.

5.0k

Oct 11th 2013, 11:36 AM

# Exploration

Just four commercial gas discoveries since the 70s but minister remains positive

Junior miniser Fergus O’Dowd has said that the state should provide an environment that encourages companies to take the risks involved in exploration.

6.0k

Sep 15th 2013, 8:25 AM

# balcombe

PICS: When fracking came to the English countryside

When an Irish photographer found himself in Sussex near fracking protests, he took some fascinating shots.

11.9k

113

Aug 25th 2013, 11:30 AM

# sitdown sunday

Sitdown Sunday: 7 deadly reads

The very best of the week’s writing from around the web.

11.1k

Jul 28th 2013, 9:45 AM

# Natural Resources

Rabbitte: Fracking could be good for Ireland – but only if it’s safe enough

The natural resources minister also denies suggestions that Ireland is “giving away” its oil and gas reserves.

10.3k

134

Jun 3rd 2013, 8:30 AM

# Fracking

Fracking ‘not a significant cause’ of earthquakes felt on surface: study

A British study says most hydraulic fracking activities release the same amount of energy ‘as jumping off a ladder’.

4.5k

Apr 10th 2013, 8:33 AM

# wind energy

90% of construction industry insiders believe wind should be primary energy source

A survey has shown that most industry insiders also think €100 or higher would be a fair water charge for a four person household.

7.4k

Apr 8th 2013, 10:43 AM

Voices

Column: The UK is exploring its shale gas future, we should do the same

Fracking is an emotively driven environmental issue – but the Irish government could do worse than follow the UK in opening up the market here for exploration, writes Aaron McKenna.

108

Mar 23rd 2013, 7:45 AM

# British budget

UK to slash corporation tax rate and offer tax credits for fracking

George Osborne has halved his projections for economic growth for Britain this year, and offers a new mortgage stimulus.

8.5k

Mar 20th 2013, 1:54 PM