Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Corrib gas project will be refused permission to proceed further as configured presently in view of the vindication by the Advantica report and Kuprewicz report of the stand taken by Rossport residents against the imposition of the high pipeline close to their houses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2170/06]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position on the Corrib gas pipeline; the stage the consultation process is at with the local community; when he expects an agreed full resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2102/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the resolution of difficulties surrounding the provision of gas from the Corrib gas well; if same includes broadening the availability of services to the community in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2060/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when gas from the Corrib gas field will be available throughout the western region and the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2058/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which the arbitration process with regard to the Corrib onshore gas pipeline will proceed; when he expects the consultants (details supplied) to conclude and report on their work on the same issue. [2188/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the resolution of outstanding matters relating to the Corrib gas field; when he expects all such issues to be resolved; when gas supplies will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1969/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 151, 196, 199, 222 and 227 together.

As the House is aware, I commissioned an international consulting company, Advantica, on 25 August 2005, to carry out a thorough and independent safety review of the onshore, upstream section of the Corrib gas pipeline. Advantica is a world leader in the area of advanced hazard and risk assessment technologies for gas pipelines.

The consultants were asked to conclude whether the proposed installations will comply with recognised international best practice and will deliver a facility that is fit for purpose. In parallel with this safety review, I established a public consultation process to ensure that the concerns of the community would be fully addressed in this review. As part of this process, a two-day public hearing was held in Geesala on 12 and 13 October, chaired by Mr. John Gallagher SC, during which the community was given the opportunity to express its concerns directly to the consultants. The consultants also made a separate site inspection of the pipeline route. I also nominated a mediator, Mr. Peter Cassells, to work with the community and the developer.

A draft of the safety review was published and presented to the community on 8 December and the consultants and members of my technical advisory group were present to hear initial comments on this draft. The review explicitly took into account the concerns expressed to the consultants at the public hearing and addressed each of these thoroughly. The selection process for the overall project design was also evaluated, as were the methodologies used to decide on an optimum route for the pipeline. Written submissions were invited on this draft, with a closing date of 22 December.

The consultants were forwarded copies of these submissions, and these were used in preparing the final report. I have only just received Advantica's final report and will consider it and the implications it has for the project as a whole when I receive the report from my technical advisory group. I will make the necessary decisions taking these reports and recommendations fully into account.

As long as the mediator, Mr. Cassells, is engaged in the delicate and important work of mediation — not arbitration — I do not intend to discuss the details of this work. Clearly the mediation process cannot carry on indefinitely and I hope Mr. Cassells can bring it to a conclusion in a reasonable timeframe.

The role of the mediator is wider than just the gas project and I understand he is looking at the availability of services generally throughout the region, including in particular, the role of gas supply in the area, in the context of Bord Gáis Éireann's proposals to modify some of the connection terms. I would encourage people to look at the Commission for Energy Regulation's consultation on this matter.