If the UK went ahead with fracking for shale gas in the Irish Sea, the Manx government would want to ensure there was a ‘robust and effective’ environmental impact study.
Environment Minister Richard Ronan was quizzed in Tynwald by Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) about his department’s stance on fracking.
Mr Ronan told the court: ‘My department is monitoring the UK’s energy policy with interest. The UK is not at the point of allowing fracking to extract shale gas from under the Irish Sea.
‘In the event of a proposal to go ahead with such activity, we would be consulted by the UK through their open consultations, and would work with other departments represented at the Council of Ministers’ environment and infrastructure committee to ensure their environmental impact assessment is undertaken effectively and robustly.
‘Depending on the type of proposal, we would consider seeking external specialist advice to ensure our understanding and response is appropriate and comprehensive. This work would also identify what other steps might be required to mitigate actual or perceived environmental impacts.’
Mr Karran suggested the department should be proactive rather than reactive.
‘We probably already are,’ replied Mr Ronan, explaining there had been regular meetings with Friends of the Earth and other bodies. ‘It certainly does no harm to engage with stakeholders who are passionate about our environment. I will continue that negotiation.’