Irish Independent: Parties Seek Shale Gas Freeze in Northern Ireland

Assembly members have called for a freeze on gas exploration in Fermanagh to avoid the controversial system dubbed "fracking".

A Green party and Alliance party motion against the potential use of hydraulic fracturing, which pumps water into the ground to release shale gas, was passed with the support of Sinn Fein and the SDLP.

But the DUP rolled in behind its Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, accusing critics of scare-mongering, while pointing out that licences had not been issued for drilling, and could not be until rigorous checks were completed. HERE