Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

It must be stated with regard to the Corrib gas project, as indicated by a TG4 official poll, that 61% of people favour the proposed terminal being built at sea and 66% of the population supports the stance of the Rossport five. That is just by way of introduction. I am sorry the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is not here. I wished to ask him if he saw or was aware of the proposal made by the Independent Deputies when they arrived in Rossport last Monday. I believe the proposal could potentially form the basis for solving the current dispute. I ask the Minister to look at the proposal again.

It is clear Shell and the local community must come to a settlement. Otherwise, this increasingly bitter dispute will further damage the local community. The Independent group, consisting of Deputies Gregory, Healy, Joe Higgins and myself, called for a de-escalation of the dispute so that space can be provided for a settlement. We ask Shell to suspend work for a period of time and for protestors to agree to leave the terminal area during that time.

The Government as the party most responsible for creating this situation should engage in three-way talks with Shell and the community to find an agreed solution to this problem. All solutions should be on the table for discussion, including the location of the refinery and terminal. The five locations possible are at the well head, on an island, in shallow water, onshore or inshore at Bellanaboy. Once the Corrib gas project issue is resolved, the Government must plan the development of the oil and gas industry to include real benefits, such as the development of deepwater ports, helicopter facilities, related shore-based facilities and service centres to service the potentially massive gas and oil industry in co-operation with suitable and interested local communities. The ball is currently in the court of the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and the Government. The people of Rossport deserve a response.

The question should be asked why the local people feel so strongly that the refinery and terminal, with its related pipeline, should not be built at Rossport. The answer is because of local community fears that the refinery and terminal, with associated pipeline, provide a significant risk to health and life. Many also feel Bellanaboy will be expanded to meet the needs of any other finds that are made. The result will be to expose these people's families, environment and local water supply to pollution from a significant petrochemical facility in this pristine environment.

These are very valid and understandable concerns. Could it be the refinery and terminal are in the wrong location? If the correct location was to be found, the issue of the pipeline would be resolved.

A second question is why Shell and the Government feel so strongly that this refinery and terminal should be built in Bellanaboy. For Shell it is a simple matter of commerce. The Government, which has provided the site through Coillte and the gas field for free, believes that Corrib is good for Ireland and essential for a secure supply.

With regard to employment, 750 local jobs were created during construction. These are temporary jobs. In the long term there will be 50 jobs on completion. Corrib, as a long-term employer, is insignificant and equal in size to a small factory or social service.

The Irish people, through Bord Gáis Éireann, will purchase gas from Corrib at much the same price as they buy gas from the UK. Despite the recent 34% gas price increase, the Corrib gas find or any other gas found off the Irish coastline will not result in any price reduction for the Irish people, despite the Taoiseach's comments to the contrary this morning in this Chamber.

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