A voluntary group in Co Leitrim has been criticised for accepting a donation of €20,000 from a company that proposes to use the controversial method of fracking for gas in the county.
Manorhamilton Enterprise Forum has defended its decision to accept the money from Tamboran Resources.
Sligo-North Leitrim TD Michael Colreavy said he was "surprised and extremely disappointed that members of the forum have sought and accepted this money from a company seeking to establish an industry that has the potential to cause massive damage in North Leitrim."
In a statement issued by the Forum, it said that the board decided to ''tackle Tamboran for money'' to allow them to proceed with a planning application and feasibility study for a hotel in the area.
The statement said that Tamboran agreed to give the board €20,000 towards this and ''we as an entity were extremely careful to accept the monies without any strings or promises''.
It added that the board can do what it wishes with the money provided that it promotes business and enterprise in the region.
The statement criticised what it described as unfair comments about the issue by people who were opposed to fracking.
It said that ''we have no idea if fracking will ever come here''.
The board said ''we all have the exact same concerns about fracking and the impact such an industry will undoubtedly have on our environment'' and said it had raised these concerns with Tamboran when board members met representatives of the company last month.
The statement concluded that ''fracking, if it comes to the north west, is a long way off and we need jobs now''.
A statement from Tamboran Resources said: "The Manorhamilton Enterprise Forum (MEF) has asked over 20 major companies across Ireland to assist them in revitalising the Manorhamilton area with a hotel planning application.
"The MEF very effectively made its point to us that the lack of a hotel in the Manorhamilton area hinders business and tourism opportunities, as well as employment and development potential for the greater North Leitrim area.
"Tamboran Resources is very pleased to have stepped up to assist them with their plans to benefit their community."
