Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources Denis Naughten has said the findings of a study published today by the Environmental Protection Agency justify the continuing prohibition on the licensing of fracking.

The EPA study found that fracking has the potential to impact both human health and the environment.

The impacts include the potential to pollute groundwater aquifers if wells failed, with the cracking in rocks potentially allowing pollutants and gas to find itself in the water.

The report also says there is evidence to suggest that the closing of wells is not always successful and that gas can escape.

The EPA report concludes that there is a lack of data or international experience to permit a reliable assessment of the consequences of fracking.

Mr Naughten said: "I believe the report's findings justify the continuing prohibition on the licensing of hydraulic fracturing.

"I am on record as having raised concerns with regard to the use of hydraulic fracturing – particularly on such matters as long-term well integrity; the potential release of toxic chemicals from the ground; and the significant and considerable potential implications that the use of this technology may have on people in rural communities as a consequence of the spatially dispersed pattern of housing in rural areas."

Minister of State at the Department Seán Kyne also welcomed the report, noting that a moratorium on the licensing of hydraulic fracturing has been in place since 2013 pending the outcome of the EPA led Joint Research Programme.