The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a public consultation on the draft terms of reference for research into hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
In May 2012 an-agency commissioned preliminary study found fracking - a controversial drilling method used to extract shale gas - "does not pose a significant environmental risk", but there are potential risks to groundwater from "poor well design or construction".
A steering committee comprising of Irish and Northern Irish environmental and energy agencies has since developed proposed terms of reference for a comprehensive programme of research.
Interested parties have until March 8th to submit written comments on the draft terms of reference. According to the agency, "the public consultation will ensure that this programme of research delivers a thorough and robust examination of the issues".
In a statement, the agency said it proposes to award funding for research in three areas: baseline characterisation; fracking operations, impacts and mitigation measures; and a regulatory framework for environmental protection.
The agency said it expects to commission the programme of research in mid-2013 and intends publishing a number of interim reports while the research is under way.
The agency, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency will co-fund the programme, which the agency expects will take two years to complete. A final report will then be published.
