The text of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Act 2017 (the "2017 Act") was published online on 23 August 2017.
The 2017 Act amends the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 (the "1960 Act"), to prohibit the use of hydraulic fracturing in onshore petroleum exploration or extraction. The 2017 Act inserts a new Chapter IIA into the 1960 Act which provides that any activities such as searching for, getting, raising, taking, carrying away or working petroleum, by means of hydraulic fracturing shall be unlawful.
The prohibition applies to any person with respect to petroleum situated in Ireland or its internal waters. The prohibition does not apply to petroleum located offshore.
The 2017 Act also provides that it is an offence to contravene the prohibition and where a person is found guilty of the offence, they will be liable to a fine of up €5,000 or a prison term of up to six months.
The link to the 2017 Act can be found here.
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