US actor Mark Ruffalo is asking Ireland to back a bill banning fracking.
In a post on his Instagram account, the 'Shutter Island' and 'The Avengers' star said: "Ireland should ban #fracking to protect public health & the environment, like New York did after finding serious risks & harms."
He also tweeted the same message to his more than two million followers.
The Prohibition of the Exploration and Extraction of Onshore Petroleum Bill, proposed by Sligo-Leitrim TD Tony McLoughlin, is being voted on in the Dáil Thursday.
It proposes the prohibition of hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - to get shale oil and gas.
The proposed bill | Image via @TonyMcLTD on Twitter
The method is considered dangerous by some as it relies on high-pressure water to fracture rocks which contain deposits.
This method of extraction has not been used before in Ireland.
Some others have already expressed their support for the bill, including Children's Minister Katherine Zappone.
I oppose fracking and congratulate @TonyMcLTD on his bill which I will support to go to second reading #BacktheBill #Fracking.
— Katherine Zappone (@KZapponeTD) October 23, 2016
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of carrying out a 24-month research programme on the process, looking at the potential impacts on the environment and human health.
It is composed of five projects and involves field studies - as well as a desk-based literature review of practices worldwide.
Deputy McLoughlin’s constituency forms part of the region that has been identified as having the most potential for fracking.