Mr Ewing continued: "Due to the secrecy surrounding the polluting processes involved - the damage done to communities, water supplies, wildlife, the environment and the long-term economic development of rural Ireland may well be even greater than the dire prospect already presented by the proposed industrialisation and degradation of our environment, across at least 9 counties of Ireland.

"The Irish Government and the EU must focus their attention on increasing energy efficiency and accelerating the move to renewable energy rather than allowing the development of high risk, inefficient and polluting gas extraction processes that just add to the problem of climate change," he concluded.

The document can be accessed at
http://environmentalpillar.ie/files/2012/08/Environmental-Pillar-Policy-on-Shale-Gas1.pdf

The Environmental Pillar is a national Social Partner established by Government decision in 2009. It is an advocacy coalition of 27 national environmental NGOs.

Environmental Pillar members:
An Taisce, Bat Conservation Ireland, BirdWatch Ireland, CELT - Centre for Ecological Living and Training, Coastwatch, Coomhola Salmon Trust, Crann, ECO UNESCO, Feasta. Forest Friends, Friends of the Earth, Global Action Plan Ireland, Gluaiseacht, Grian, Hedge Laying Association of Ireland, Irish Doctors Environment Association, Irish Natural Forestry Foundation, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Irish Seal Sanctuary, Irish Seed Saver Association, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Irish Wildlife Trust, The Organic Centre, Sonairte, Sustainable Ireland Cooperative, VOICE, Zero Waste Alliance Ireland.