Durkan Clashes With Cameron Over Fracking

Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has clashed with David Cameron in the Commons, following the PM's statement encouraging the UK population to "get behind" fracking.

Minister Durkan responded by saying agreeing to fracking at present would be "reckless and irresponsible".

Hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking', involves drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks and release natural gas.

Anti-fracking campaigners say the dangers of fracking have not yet been fully explored, but include the contamination of natural resources and the destruction of geological formations.

The Environment Minister said no decision should be taken until all facts and scientific evidence are established.

He also re-assured the public that fracking could not take place in Northern Ireland without his say so.

"At present there is no planning application for fracking in Northern Ireland. If and when any application comes in, it will be for me to decide, not David Cameron. I am not going to make any decision until all the facts and scientific evidence are established. To do otherwise would be reckless and irresponsible. Do we need to extract shale gas? Can it be done safely? Would it be done responsibly? These are the responsible questions. All facts are not in. The scientific evidence is far from being established. No fracking for Fermanagh, no fracking for Northern Ireland, as things stand."

(IT/CD)