. The Committee welcomed the recommendations by the Ministerial Review Committee on the Science, Technology and Innovation Landscape as to how the NSI could be strengthened going forward. The Committee plans to invite the Department to update them, particularly on the outcomes of the Internal Working Committee's evaluation on these recommendations as well as on the public comments received on the matter. . The Committee remained concerned about the possible negative effects that hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of the Karoo shale gas reserves may have on the astronomy advantage areas, should this venture proceed. The Committee urged the Department to continue to play a leading role on the task-team involved in investigating the possibilities related to fracking.