CDM Smith has defended its role in carrying out the research on the report on fracking.
The company says it’s a large international consultancy that focuses on the environment and denies it has any agenda on fracking.
The report finds that fracking could feasibly go ahead on the island of Ireland if three areas were further investigated and addressed.
These include concerns about the pollution of groundwater, the impact of the process itself and the implications of what happens after the gas has been extracted and the bore hole closed up.
The report, which looked at a number of potential areas for fracking including the northern carboniferous basin which includes parts of Leitrim and Fermanagh, says the impacts would differ from site to site.
Anti-fracking campaigners are welcoming today’s comments by Minister Denis Naughten that the ban will remain in place.
Eddie Mitchell of the Love Leitrim campaign, however says they have always had concerns about the independence of the report in light of CDM’s involvement in it:
However, Alan Hooper, of CDM Smith was directly involved in the research – he denies the consistant reports that the company has a vested interest.
He says they have vast experience in the environment and energy areas but claims they are not a ‘fracking’ company and have no agenda:
