http://www.garrethmcdaid.com Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:16:11 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Minister Rabbitte should use the precautionary principle in assessing the economic and environmental effects of shale gas development. Green Party spokesperson on Energy, Communications and Natural Resources, Garreth McDaid, said today:  "Minister Pat Rabbitte needs to be guided by the "Precautionary Principle" in assessing both the economic and environmental aspects of ... http://www.garrethmcdaid.com/2012/02/02/tambaron-claims-about-a-leitrim-gas-field-should-be-taken-with-a-massive-dose-of-salt/ The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the competent authority when it comes to granting permission for oil and gas exploration/extraction. The are in the process of creating a statutory safety framework, and have invited the public to comment on this. I believe this is important in relation to Hydraulic ... http://www.garrethmcdaid.com/2011/09/20/submission-to-petroleum-safety-framework-consultation/ There has been commentary in public debate over recent weeks as to the previous Government's role in the regulatory process that has allowed companies explore the possibility of extracting gas from the shale rock formations in the Lough Allen Basin. The role of the Green Party in this process needs to ... http://www.garrethmcdaid.com/2011/09/09/facts-how-and-when-the-fracking-license-options-were-issued/ [caption id="attachment_314" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="The landscape north of Booneville in Arkansas in the US. This could happen in North Leitrim."][/caption] Google Earth is a really powerful tool, especially when it comes to environmental destruction. This image shows a distribution of fracking pads just north of a small town called Booneville in ... http://www.garrethmcdaid.com/2011/09/02/what-a-landscape-looks-like-after-fracking/ [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, involves creating cracks in rock beneath the earth's surface, which in turn allows gas to escape."][/caption] The following was provided by the Action for Thoughtful Use of Natural Resources Group: According to UK researchers, caution must be taken in the use of shale gas ... http://www.garrethmcdaid.com/2011/07/03/precautionary-principle-should-be-applied-to-shale-gas/ Click here for Green Party 2011 Manifesto http://www.garrethmcdaid.com/2011/02/19/party-political-broadcast-2011/