Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he intends to hold the next meeting of the north west forum Corrib gas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23845/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The North West Mayo Forum was established in 2008 with the dual objectives of providing an opportunity for dialogue between parties with an interest in the Corrib gas project and offering an opportunity for furthering the socio-economic development of the North West Mayo Region.

It was intended that membership of the Forum would include a broad representation from local community groups, however a number of groups opposed to the Corrib gas project declined to participate in the Forum.

Over the course of its first year, the Forum met on five occasions. The last meeting was held over a year ago on 8th May 2010. A decision has not been taken to convene a further meeting of the Forum at this time.

The decision to approve the application from the Corrib partners to construct a pipeline connecting the offshore and onshore facilities made specific provision for the establishment of a Consent Conditions Monitoring Committee, to monitor implementation of the conditions of the Section 40 gas pipeline consent.

This provides an opportunity for representatives of the local community to engage in a meaningful way in relation to the construction of the principal remaining element of the development.

I will continue to keep in mind the potential for a further meeting of the Forum.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date on the Corrib gas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23841/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Construction of the Corrib Gas Terminal at Bellanaboy is substantially completed, as are the subsea facilities at the Corrib Gas Field. The 83 km. offshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline has also been installed

Following the granting of a number of statutory consents earlier this year for the construction of the onshore section of the pipeline along a revised route, work on this final element of the development has now commenced.

It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline, including the construction of a 5 km. tunnel, will take in the region of two years.

The consent granted by the then Minister in February of this year for the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline required the Corrib Gas Partners to prepare an environmental management plan. The purpose of this plan is to ensure that the mitigation and monitoring controls identified in the developer's Environmental Impact Statement as approved, are appropriately managed and implemented by the developer in agreement with my Department.

In July of this year, following a detailed assessment, my Department approved the EMP submitted by Shell, which set out the proposed schedule of works for this year, together with the relevant environmental protection mitigations. These works relate to the construction of the Aghoose tunnelling compound and the conduct of offshore surveys.

Works at Aghoose are now ongoing and these works are the subject of independent monitoring being undertaken by international consultants ENVIRON on behalf of my Department. Shells progress reports, together with ENVIRON's reports will be made available on my Departments website.