Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
MAIN BODY 2
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION 7
CONCLUSION 9
BIBLIOGRAPHY 10 Introduction

Over the last few years controversy surrounding Fracking has reached new levels. Fracking or hydraulic fracturing as it is also known as is the process where natural gas is extracted from layers of shale rock deep within the earth. Fluids are injected into the earth at high pressure which then creates new passages from which the gas is then extracted. The process of fracking has created controversy due to the fact that many believe the process has had a negative impact on the environment. Anti-fracking groups believe that the process in morally wrong due to the vast quantity of water which is required in order for fracking to take place while others believe that fracking is responsible for the increase in earth tremors. On the Other hand Pro-fracking groups believe that the claims regarding the negativity surrounding the dangers of Fracking are unfounded and the process is completely safe. The issue of fracking in the area has seen the emergence of groups with polarising points of view, those who believe that fracking will benefit the local region and those who believe that fracking will cause long lasting damage to the environment, local wildlife and the health and wellbeing of the local community. This essay will look at the historical context of the issue and the underlying causes of the conflict to date. The essay will also look at the main stakeholders involved in this issue and will put forward proposals to transform the conflict into a situation which is satisfactory for everyone concerned.

Main Body

The issue surrounding Fracking in the Fermanagh region first emerged in 2011 when Tamboran Resources, an Australian company who were issued with a license by Northern Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment. At the time of being issued with a licence Tamboran Resources stated that “the purpose of the drilling operation will be to collect rock samples and no hydraulic fracturing will take place” (Tamboran, 2014). Around the same time a documentary entitled “Gasland” was released which highlighted the dangers of Fracking. The filmmaker spoke directly to residents from local communities where fracking had occurred. The local residents spoke about how their health had suffered which were traced directly as a result of the local air and water supply becoming contaminated. During the documentary the film maker encounters “tap water so contaminated it can set on fire right out of the tap, chronically ill residents with similar symptoms in drilling areas across the United States and huge pools of toxic waste that kill livestock and vegetation” (HBO Documentaries, 2010).
This documentary rose to prominence and according to anti fracking campaigners it is seen as a key factor in raising the number of people involved in the anti-fracking movement across the world. While the anti-fracking campaign have categorically stated that fracking has a long lasting and devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of people, wildlife and the environment. The Chief Executive Officer of Tamboran Resources Richard Moorman stated in an interview in 2011 that “in the event that we should one day have approval to drill, possibly by early 2013, then we will only conduct our fracture simulations with water and sands- absolutely no injected fracture fluid chemicals” (Friends of the Irish Environment, n.d) Richard Moorman continued by saying that the method of fracking which will be carried out in the Fermanagh region is like going back to basics, however according to the Friends of the Irish Environment, Mr Moorman was “challenged to produce a specific example of a company which successfully used a method of fracking which did not use fracture fluid chemicals, he could not do so”. (ibid)

It is fair to say that a lack of clarity surrounding the issue of fracking in the region has added to an already situation. According to a report highlighted in the Impartial Reporter newspaper Tamporan “initially stated in 2011 that 600 jobs would be created, and then they said that 600 jobs in total, i.e. 300 on either side of the border. Finally they said three jobs per pad with 60 pads in Fermanagh” (The Impartial Reporter, 2013). The conflict between Tamporan and the local residents in Fermanagh has no doubt attracted global attention, for the locals this could be seen as a victory while for Tamporan it has brought unwanted attention onto an already controversial practice. Environmental issues, particularly those which pit the common everyday man against a faceless multinational in a David versus Goliath type situation also attracted people who have their own agenda. These people tend to be more focused on causing damage without considering the impact on people who are just doing their job or indeed local residents. The anti-fracking campaigners believe that the mainstream media particularly in Northern Ireland has done little or no investigative journalism on the issue. Many on the anti-fracking side believe that the media is simply churning out the same old pro-economic rhetoric.
What is becoming apparent from the anti-fracking campaign is that people are standing together from all political persuasions and backgrounds in order to fight against fracking taking place on their doorsteps. When you consider the fact that in 2011 the “figures put unemployment in Fermanagh at 2.9 per cent, which is below the Northern Ireland average of 3.3 per cent”, (The World of Labour, 2011) it could be argued that the injection of employment which would be generated from fracking would hugely benefit the region. Experts believe that the Lough Allen basin contains an estimated eleven billion euro’s worth of gas. While some would argue that having a huge quantity of a profitable resource such as natural gas at their disposal, the idea fracking is worthwhile as the end will justify the means. However the local residents of the area would argue that their views and concerns regarding the short term disruption to their day to day lives and the long term damage to the area were never considered.

While looking at the issues surrounding Fracking in the area objectively, it could be argued that the fundamental issue involves those who value economic development and those who value sustainable development. Tamporan Resources are a faceless multinational who have carried out extensive gas extractions throughout Australia. In September 2014 Northern Ireland’s minister for energy Arlene Foster issued an order which essentially terminated Tamporan’s license to explore for shale gas in the region. While this may be seen as a victory for the anti-fracking campaign, the issue of fracking in the region has not gone away. According to a report in the Irish Times Tamporan Resources are to legally challenge the decision. “There was a catch 22 element to Ms Foster’s decision not to extend the license which Tamporan may use in its legal challenges against the decisions made by the energy and environment departments”. (The Irish Times, 2014) The nature of Tamporan’s argument regarding the decision involves the fact that Arlene Foster’s ministerial colleague Mark H Durkin who is minister of the environment refused Tamporan permission to drill despite the fact that a license to drill had been issued by Minister Foster.
It could be argued that Minister Foster’s assumed that due to the lack of employment in the region that the local community would welcome the prospect of fracking on their doorsteps with open arms. Due to the lack of support for the project from local communities and her ministerial colleague suggests that Minister Foster’s hand was forced and was left with no alternative but to withdraw the license which could be seen as a shift in power towards the anti-fracking side in the conflict. If you were to take a macro approach towards the issue of fracking in the Fermanagh it could be argued that at the core of the conflict is two groups of people who have very different philosophies. On one side you have Tamporan Resources who along with sections of the Northern Ireland Government believed that fracking in the region would have wide ranging benefits for everyone. By looking at the conflict in this context it can be assumed that Tamporan Resources along with some public representatives follow a Utilitarian philosophy.

Someone who follows this philosophy tends to believe that there actions are justified as long as the results benefit the greatest number of people. It is argued that “Utilitarianism has become entrenched in modern life that we don’t realise that an ethical framework is being deployed”. (Lifeboats & Trolly Cars, 2010). For companies such as Tamporan Resources the fact that the lives of the local communities will be disrupted or indeed the fact that the local flora and fauna will be irreparably damaged is irrelevant. There are those who believe that for Tamporan Resources the only thing that interests them is the fact that the numbers stack up and the ends will justify the means, in this case the huge volumes of gas can be extracted resulting in huge profit for the company. On the other hand it could be argued that the people opposed to fracking in the area are following a Kantian philosophy. People who follow the Kantian philosophy tend to believe that “everyone on earth should be treated as an ends and never as a means” (Unenlightened Academt, n.d). In the case of the people of Fermanagh, they believe that it is there human right to oppose what they see as the destruction of their local communities, environment and wildlife. When considering how the practice of fracking has impacted on other parts of the world it could be suggested that the opposition to the fracking project in Fermanagh has some justification. The Great Barrier in Australia for example is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre; there are those who believe that the practice of drilling for gas in the region has had an adverse impact on local marine life. “Matt Landos, a veterinary scientific carried out an investigation into the outbreak of sickness among marine life. He detailed how creatures he caught in the harbour suffered skin ulcers, diseased fins and damaged intestines”. (The Economist, 2012) Many people believe that there is a direct correlation between earthquakes, sinkholes and fracking particularly in the Southern States of The United States of America. “Anytime you drill into the earth, there will be a shift. Depending on the amount, this can cause a shift in the soil/crust”. (Real Liberty Media, 2014) Initially Gas and energy Companies denied that the increase in earthquakes and sinkhole was caused as a direct result of drilling for oil and gas, however “the practice of injecting water into deep rock formations causes earthquakes, both the U.S Army and the U.S Geological Survey have concluded”. (Oil Price.Com, 2011) In the context of the conflict between anti-fracking campaigners of Fermanagh and Tamporan Resources the issue for the time being may have reached a satisfactory outcome for the anti-fracking side.

With that in mind one may also argue that given the fact that there is potentially €20 billion worth of gas in the area a Multinational energy company will seek to excavate it at some point in the future, whether Tamporan Resources carry it out remains to be seen. It could also be assumed that given the fact that the local communities in the Fermanagh region got a satisfactory outcome has united them and made them more determined to resist any future plans for Fracking to take place in the area. One thing which has emerged throughout the Fracking controversy is the polarising points of view of the anti-fracking campaigners and those in favour of fracking in the region; it can be suggested that the gap between the anti-fracking campaigners and those in favour of the procedure has widened leading to a deep mistrust and underlying resentment between the two sides. In order for both sides to be able to get past this issue certain things need to take place, for instance it is crucial that both sides have an understanding of the other sides point of view. “Often, individuals are so emotionally invested in their own perspectives that they cannot see the other person’s side of things”. (sfp.ucdavis.edu, N/A)
In the case which is being discussed there is no doubt that the anti-Fracking campaigners have invested heavily from an emotional point of view in the campaign and therefore cannot see where Tamporan Resources are coming from. On the other hand Tamporan have invested a lot of time, man power and money in getting the project off the ground only for the license to be revoked on the entire project. Many on the anti-fracking side believe at the heart of the argument is failure of local government to listen to the concerns which the people of the area had. Had the pro-fracking side including sections of the Northern Ireland Assembly listened to the concerns of the local people? While the politicians may argue that they did listen to the concerns of local people it is apparent that they did not listen effectively. In order for similar situations to be avoided in the future people in power need to listen differently. “In conversations it is easy for us to be distracted from what other people are saying. We get involved in our own thoughts, or we begin to think about what we are going to say” (Egan, Gerard, 1998)

Recommendations for conflict transformation

In order for future conflicts in the Fermanagh region to be avoided, people all on sides must show a willingness to communicate with each other in a positive, transparent manner. It could be suggested that part of the reason why the argument between the two sides escalated to the level that it did is due to the fact that nobody associated with Tamporan Resources or the relevant state ministers considered the fact that Fracking in the area might not be a good idea. Given the fact that Tamporan Resources is a multinational company in the business of extracting oil and gas for profit it is a fair assumption to say that senior management at the company share similar values and ideologies when it comes to the extraction of Natural resources. The danger of having a board of management who share similar views, values and opinions in any organisation is groupthink. “Groupthink is a phenomenon when a group of people get together and start to think collectively with one mind, there tends to be more of a concern with maintaining unity than thinking objectively. (Your Dictionary, N/A)
One of the key characteristics of groupthink is poor judgements and poor decision making. When looking at the fracking issue in Fermanagh it is apparent that nobody aired on the side of caution or categorically stated that fracking in the region mightbe a bad idea. In the future perhaps Tamporan Resources could diversify their board of management and have someone in place that is more empathetic to the Kantian beliefs which the local people of Fermanagh clearly held. It could also be suggested that the Environment minister for Northern Ireland who initially awarded the Fracking License to Tamporan Resources failed not only to consider the views of the local residents but also failed to listen to the reservations that her ministerial colleague had surrounding the project. In any situation where there is the potential for conflict to emerge it is important to have an awareness of how a situation is framed. “Framing involves both the constructions interpretive frames and their representation to others”. (Beyond Intractability, 2013).

Take a moment to consider the anti-fracking campaign, for Tamporan Resources and other pro-fracking organisations the protestors could be perceived as being anarchists, law breakers and anti-progressive. On the other hand the anti-fracking campaigners see themselves as environmentalist and human rights activists who are fighting for the rights of local people and the local wildlife. In order for a positive outcome to be achieved a process of reframing may need to take place. “Reframing is the purposive management of frames, there are a number of set goals attached to reframing and frame analysis”. (Beyond Intractability, 2013) In order for this process to be achieved all the stakeholders involved need to come together and clarify their point of view. This will allow for all parties to listen to each other’s points of view as well as encouraging people to consider solutions which have not yet been tried. By reframing the situation, it will enable all the parties involved to examine their own actions more closely and how their behaviours are influenced by others. The process of reframing also gives the opportunity for mediators to identify some of the complicated factors which are attached to people’s points of view when negotiating contentious issues in conflict situations. It is important to be aware that in some situations a satisfactory outcome may not be achieved, the reframing technique will enable mediators to identify people with polarising points of view and devise a way forward for all parties concerned without infringing on either sides values or beliefs.
In other parts of the world were sections of society have felt that their basic human rights have been under threat many have learned to deal with conflict in a positive way through arts approaches. Once such as approach is the Theatre of the Oppressed. “The Theatre of the Oppressed which was established by Augusto Boal in the 1970’s, it is a participatory theatre which fosters co-operative and democratic forms of interaction among participants” (Bench Forum.org, N/A). The aim of the theatre of the oppressed is to evolve a piece of theatre which has originated from the experiences of the participants in which they have felt oppressed. Once the scenario is played out the audience are encouraged to shout stop and offer suggestions to the protagonist as to what action to take and as a result the scenario changes. The idea behind this concept is to allow people to look at situations of conflict from different points of view, it allows people to see that we all have a role to play in situations of conflict and that we can change the path we’re on at any time. This technique would work well in dealing with some of the issues which have arisen regarding the anti-fracking campaign in Fermanagh, particularly with younger protestors as it would give them the space to explore alternative ways of finding a peaceful solution.
Conclusion

It is fair to say that the issue of fracking in County Fermanagh is a contentious issue with more than one facet attached to it. On one hand you have a multinational company whose sole objective is to extract €20 Billion worth of gas through the controversial process of Fracking. When considering the fact the project would have created employment for a region which has been starved of major investment in recent years one could argue that the Enterprise Minister for Northern Ireland Arlene Foster did the correct thing in granting the fracking license. On the other hand the problems which arose did so due to the fact that proper dialogue between local communities, the Ministers for Enterprise and Environment for Northern Ireland and Tamporan Resources never took place. It could be argued that the basic human rights of the locals were not considered due to the fact that Tamporan Resources and sections of the Northern Ireland Government did not value or consider how the process of fracking would affect the lives of local people.

What is apparent is that both sides in this argument hold fundamental values and beliefs which are on opposite ends of the spectrum but nonetheless need to be respected by all concerned? A positive resolution can be achieved for everyone concerned by showing a willingness to listen to each other and through positive and constructive dialogue. As stated earlier, using techniques such as framing and reframing dialogue can have a positive outcome particularly in tense situations; while using arts based approaches such as the Theatre of the Oppressed have been proven to be useful techniques in resolving tense situations. While the fracking project is presently at a halt there is no guarantee that it will remain so, if the project should begin again then all parties’ concerned need to come together with openness and willingness to deal with the issues which arose otherwise the same issues will potentially arise again.

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