{"id":24313,"date":"2021-12-08T11:59:39","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T16:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24313"},"modified":"2021-12-08T11:59:42","modified_gmt":"2021-12-08T16:59:42","slug":"protesters-demand-sinn-fein-block-fracking-licenses-in-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24313","title":{"rendered":"Protesters Demand Sinn F\u00e9in Block Fracking Licenses In The North"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Extinction Rebellion Ireland held a demonstration outside the party\u2019s headquarters in Dublin to highlight its \u2018lack of timely action\u2019 (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fracking protesters have urged Sinn F\u00e9in to block petroleum licenses in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extinction Rebellion Ireland held a demonstration outside the party\u2019s headquarters in Dublin on Wednesday, in a bid to highlight Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s \u201clack of timely action\u201d to prevent oil exploration and extraction of oil and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campaigners said the protest was held in solidarity with communities in Northern Ireland, along with activist groups Futureproof Clare, Shale Must Fall, LAMP Fermanagh, and Belcoo Frack Free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stormont Economy Minister Gordon Lyons is expected to bring forward a policy on oil and gas drilling before the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Sinn F\u00e9in last week put forward a Bill which would outlaw the exploration and extraction of petroleum by fracking, it has been criticized by campaign groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oscar Mooney, of Extinction Rebellion Ireland, said: \u201cFracking is a dangerous practice that destroys environments, communities, and is a violation of human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s election manifesto they stated they would secure \u2018a total ban on fracking across the island of Ireland, including exploratory drilling\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe DUP Minister of Economy, Gordon Lyons, is reviewing petroleum licensing policy and intends to introduce petroleum licensing policy options into the Northern Ireland Executive before Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSinn F\u00e9in have four seats in the Executive, the DUP have five seats, but Sinn F\u00e9in can work with the commitments from Alliance and UUP to ensure the new policy is to ban petroleum licensing in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe call on Sinn F\u00e9in to act now in the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure a full and final ban on petroleum licensing by voting for a ban on petroleum licensing to be the new Northern Ireland policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis will fulfil Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s promise, before it is too late.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group said that, while there is currently no fracking on the island of Ireland, if a petroleum licensing policy is passed then two current applications will be granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will allow drilling and fracking at two locations in Northern Ireland \u2013 in Fermanagh and at Lough Neagh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Mooney added: \u201cThe expansion of the fossil fuel industry, just after Cop26 in Glasgow, is not just disappointing but wholly irresponsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe know that we need to stop relying on fossil fuels and rapidly switch to renewables immediately if we want to stay under 1.5 degrees and avoid the worst effects of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

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