Presentations: "The Realities of Hydraulic Fracturing" and "fracking Inhumanity"

national | environment | press release Wednesday February 15, 2012 22:50 by Meg Rybicki - H2Oil youthmardingo at gmail dot com

"The Realities of Hydraulic Fracturing"

"The Realities of Hydraulic Fracturing" - Dr. John O'Connor
'fracking Inhumanity' - Jessica Ernst MSc

A series of presentations on the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking' will take place in Dublin, Sligo, Fermanagh and Leitrim next week. Dr. John O'Connor and Jessica Ernst, M.Sc., will travel from Canada to address key issues in relation to the practice of fracking, and to address public concerns in relation to the proposed extraction of shale gas in the North West using this controversial method

Both speakers will reveal their first-hand experiences of hydraulic fracking in Canada, and will outline their concerns regarding the processes involved, as the debate continues here over the granting of licenses.

Ms. Ernst is a biologist and environmental consultant to the oil and gas industry, and long time critic of the method of fracking in use in Alberta, Canada.

Dr. O'Connor is a Irish born physician who came to prominence for highlighting the increased cancer rates downstream from Canada's largest Tar Sands operations. The Alberta Cancer Board confirmed the higher incidences, after Health Canada and the Alberta College of Physicians spent time, and resources, denying the facts, and attempting to discredit Dr. O'Connor's observations. Dr. O'Connor was vindicated completely by the Alberta College of Physicians, but no study to date, has yet been implemented, despite the Cancer Board's recommendations. With first-hand experiences of living in rural communities where fracking, and heavy drilling takes place, their insight into industry practices promises to be both informative and timely.

Sligo County Council recently joined their colleagues in counties Clare and Roscommon in banning fracking, (Leitrim put in place a 5 year moratorium), fearing that the processes involved may damage the region. But it is acknowledged that this ban can be overturned by Government at a future stage.

Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to attend these presentations to inform themselves of the facts and to have any of their concerns addressed.

The presentation schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday February 21st at 8pm Belcoo Community Hall, Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh
• Wednesday February 22nd at 8pm Clarion Hotel, Sligo
• Thursday February 23rd at 8pm Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
• Friday February 24th at The Rainbow (Ballroom of Romance) at 8pm Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim
• Saturday February 25th in Dublin. Venue & Time TBC

More Information: Name & Contact number, Meg Rybicki ' McAuley 086 3840254