Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position of the Corrib gas pipeline project; his preferred route of Shell's three alternative routes and the reason for same; the way he envisages this dispute will be resolved in a safe and agreed manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23054/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to have a formal meeting with representatives of the local community in Kilcommon, Erris, County Mayo, to discuss Shell's scheme to install a gas refinery and high pressure pipeline in their midst; and if he will provide a timeframe when such a meeting might take place. [23105/07]

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the Corrib gas field project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23127/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Shell pipeline and refinery scheme projected for the area of Kilcommon, Erris, County Mayo, has his full backing. [23104/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 11, 47 and 66 together.

The Corrib gas project is an infrastructural development of major national importance. The developers of the field have completed the majority of the sub-sea construction work to prepare the Corrib field for production of gas. Construction work has begun on the terminal.

Last month, consultants engaged by the developers of the Corrib gas field announced a short list of three indicative route corridor options. This followed a recommendation made by the mediator, Mr. Peter Cassells, to modify the route of the pipeline in the vicinity of Rossport to address community concerns regarding proximity to housing which was accepted by the developers. These three corridor options will now be subject to further environmental and technical studies in parallel with community and landowner consultation as well as consultation with relevant statutory agencies.

Once a preferred route is selected it will be necessary for the developers to make an application to me under the Gas Act for consent to construct the pipeline. In addition, consent from An Bord Pleanála will be required under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act. It would not be appropriate for me, having regard to my regulatory role, to express a preference for any particular pipeline route for the Corrib gas project.

Since my appointment as Minister I have met a wide range of stakeholders involved in the project, including the developers, individuals who are interested in the project and people from the local community. As the project advances I am open to continuing my engagement with representatives of the local community and others on matters relating to my regulatory role.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I appreciate the Minister inherited this issue and I pay tribute to Mr. Peter Cassells for the work he has done on this difficult matter. The timeframe is short and the Minister will be expected to make his decision in November according to the documentation I received. Is this still the case? A great deal of work would be involved between now and November. How far has work progressed on the environmental impact of the three alternative routes? When the Minister was in opposition, he recommended that Bord Gais be involved in overseeing the operation of the terminal. Is this still his view and, if so, has he made any progress in this regard?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The November deadline relates to the EPA which was due to make a presentation on the final clearance it must give on the terminal building. This decision was deferred until November when the EPA will deal with a variety of environmental licensing issues with regard to the terminal building. Later this year the developer will announce its preferred pipeline route option.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Is that this year?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Yes, this year. This is subject to its work programme and technical issues which may arise. The timeline is not ours and the initiative is with the development company rather than the Department or any other body. A complicated evaluation process will follow this, including public consultation involving An Bord Pleanála under the new Planning and Development (Critical Infrastructure) Act, the foreshore licensing section of the relevant Department and my Department in terms of consent. My Department liaises with the other Departments and agencies involved in this complicated process to ensure a co-ordinated approach. I intend that the process will be open and transparent and will engage people in a positive and constructive manner so their concerns are addressed.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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What timeframe is involved?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The timeframe will begin when a preferred route option is proposed and the process will continue into next year. It will not be a short timeframe. It will take several months rather than weeks as it must engage An Bord Pleanála as well as the Department. The timeframe is difficult to quantify in advance and the Planning and Development (Critical Infrastructure) Bill means we are in new territory. I am confident it can be done in an orderly manner which is respectful of all parties.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I also asked the Minister about Bord Gais.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Bord Gais made clear that its involvement does not extend beyond the internal gas transmission pipeline. It constructed the pipeline connection to the terminal building but is not engaged in the offshore pipeline section.