Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, I wish to clarify that his statutory responsibilities in this matter relate to the regulatory aspects of petroleum exploration and development. I emphasise that in the case of the Corrib gas field, all of the required statutory approvals are in place. These approvals were given subject to intense scrutiny of the various applications made to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and after the technical, safety and environmental aspects of the proposals were examined fully.

Authorisations were granted for the Corrib gas field under a number of provisions. Under the Continental Shelf Act 1968, authorisation was given for the construction of the sub-sea facilities. Consent was also given for the plan of development of the field under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960. Under the Gas Act 1976, as amended, consent was given for the construction of a gas pipeline from the gas field up to the terminal building. A foreshore licence was also granted under the Foreshore Acts. In accordance with EU directives, an environmental impact assessment statement was submitted with each application for consent or approval. In addition, planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála for the gas terminal.

Notwithstanding that the Minister's function is a regulatory one, he has been endeavouring at every opportunity to create the conditions that would allow the difficulties associated with this project to be resolved with the assistance of independent bodies and individuals.

Arising from local concerns about safety, the Minister had a further comprehensive safety review of the onshore upstream gas pipeline carried out by Advantica consultants last year. Advantica is a world leader in the development and application of advanced hazard and risk assessment technologies for gas pipelines.

It has been the priority of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, that people who have views relating to the safety of the pipeline should have the opportunity to have those views considered by Advantica. During the period of the review, opinions were invited from local residents, communities and any interested party during the period of the review. A two-day public hearing was also held in the locality. The draft safety review was presented to the community on 8 December and further comments were invited before the report was published.

The Advantica report found that proper consideration to safety had been given in the selection process and for the project as a whole. Moreover, the review found that so long as a number of measures were implemented, the project would carry a substantial safety margin and that both the pipeline and route should be accepted as meeting or exceeding international best practice.

A separate technical advisory group, which supervised the safety review, made a series of further recommendations, covering, among other things, issues of design code, the drawing up of a pipeline integrity management plan and a range of measures on which the developer would have to gain approval to ensure that the actual construction and installation of the pipeline would be to the highest international standards.

The Minister published the full details of all these recommendations in May of this year. The developer, Shell, has accepted the recommendations made by both Advantica and the technical advisory group and has committed itself to meeting all of those requirements fully. Shell has notified the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources that it is well advanced with the additional work necessary to comply with these requirements.

The Minister also appointed Mr. Peter Cassells as mediator in the dispute. Mr. Cassells was appointed following consultation with the protestors and Shell. Both sides agreed to this appointment and Mr. Cassells reported in July 2006. Shell has accepted the recommendations made by the mediator. It has indicated publicly that, in line with Mr Cassells's recommendations, it is considering alternative pipeline routes and will consult widely when it has come to a conclusion on the options.

It is clear that Advantica, the technical advisory group and the Cassells report have dealt with all reasonable concerns relating to this project. There is effectively nothing new in this latest idea for a further independent inquiry.

I understand that the protestors have recently focused their concerns on the siting of the terminal at Bellanaboy. The terminal has undergone a rigorous planning process over a three and a half year period following which An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the terminal. The terminal has been the subject of two applications for planning permission to Mayo County Council, one of which followed an initial refusal by An Bord Pleanála.

Deputies will appreciate that the availability of indigenous gas is becoming increasingly vital for the economy with world energy supplies diminishing and costs increasing sharply. The Corrib gas field is a major infrastructural project, which has the potential to play a significant role in the economic and social regeneration of Mayo and the north west region.

See this speech in context