Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects gas to become available from the Corrib gas field in the near future; if precise deadlines have been set or agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11457/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the position of the Corrib gas pipeline project; the time frame for bringing the gas from the Corrib gas field ashore; the contacts he has recently had with Shell and local opponents of the pipeline development; the way he envisages this dispute being resolved in a safe and agreed manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11340/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 93 together.

I understand that the Corrib developers anticipate first gas in late 2009. I would add, however, that completion of the development works by Shell is clearly the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas.

Production of gas from the Corrib field is also obviously dependent on the successful re-routing of the onshore pipeline. Deputies will recall that the Corrib mediator, Mr. Peter Cassells, recommended that, in order to address local concerns about the proximity of the pipeline route to houses, the developer should modify the route in the vicinity of Rossport. The developer has committed itself to implementing this recommendation and I understand that public consultation with the local community is now under way to help choose the optimum route. The developer will also require additional consents both from my Department and from the planning authorities in this regard. Any application received by my Department will be examined from a technical, environmental and safety perspective.

My consent will also be required before commercial production operations from the field can commence. That consent will depend on the satisfactory completion of the development works and fulfilment of all of the required technical conditions by the developer. My Department, meanwhile, has ongoing contact with the developer as part of its role in monitoring the project.