596. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the chief medical officer will carry out a health impact assessment into hydraulic fracturing. [42657/15]

The requirement for a Health Impact Assessment into hydraulic fracturing, or otherwise, would only arise if an application to carry out a development proposing the use of this technology were being considered. As I have advised previously, the research programme, which has been commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency into the potential impacts from unconventional gas exploration and extraction (UGEE) on the environment and human health, is ongoing.

No application to engage in UGEE has been received in my Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.