The Irish Senate, the Seanad, passed legislation on Wednesday outlawing the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
This vote was the last hurdle for passage of the bill. It was already passed by the Dáil, the lower house in Ireland, last month.
Anti-fracking groups in Ireland have been working tirelessly to make this happen. The groups showed their celebrations after the vote via Twitter:
Victory for people power today as bill passes through the irish Seanad. Now just needs our presidents signature. #irelandbansfracking pic.twitter.com/VB2K3DOR9S
— Love Leitrim (@love_leitrim) June 28, 2017
A day to celebrate. A day for #ClimatePride. The Irish parliament has passed a law to #BanFracking. Here's to a #FossilFree future. pic.twitter.com/BP2ByfZGRO
— Friends of the Earth (@foeireland) June 28, 2017
The bill now awaits the president’s signature to become law. According to the Irish Independent, this is supposed to happen ASAP:
“President Michael D Higgins is expected to sign it into law in the coming days with a date to be confirmed for the commencement of the ban.”
Sligo-Leitrim Dáil member Tony McLoughlin, who brought the bill forward, also celebrated on Twitter and released the following statement:
“This law will mean communities in the West and North West of Ireland will be safeguarded from the negative effects of hydraulic fracking. Counties such as Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Clare will no longer face negative effects like those seen in cities and towns in the United States, where many areas have now decided to implement similar bans to the one before us.”
Its done! Weve made history & become the 3rd state in the EU to ban #Fracking. One of proudest moments in my political career. Thanks to all pic.twitter.com/amTmuQAdRl
— Tony McLoughlin TD (@TonyMcLTD) June 28, 2017
Ireland joins France, Germany and Bulgaria in banning fracking onshore.
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