Shell considers public discussions

From the Sunday Business Post14 August 2005 By Niamh Connolly Oil company Shell is asking the public for written submissions with their views on the controversial Corrib gas terminal in Mayo.The company is also considering more direct discussions with the public through a series of public meetings. It has already held meetings with third parties such as the Chambers of Commerce and Mayo County Council.The company secured a significant victory last Friday when Mayo County Council voted against a motion calling for the gas pipeline to be moved offshore, following legal advice that the council would be exposed to litigation.Shell asked protesters to allow environmental, safety and maintenance works at Bellanaboy, Rossport and Glengad Corrib Sites to start tomorrow. On Tuesday, the company will start to dismantle its 1.86 kilometre of onshore pipeline, which was welded without consent. The entire works programme will start tomorrow and take five to six weeks to complete.The safety review into the pipeline ordered by Noel Dempsey, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, is not expected to be completed until October, according to sources.Dempsey appointed a steering committee to oversee the review last week. Tenders for the contract are due to be submitted by the end of the month, and it is expected to take six weeks to complete.However, the Shell to Sea campaign is unhappy with the terms of reference of the review. Rosemary Steen, a spokeswoman for Shell E&P Ireland appealed to protesters to allow the environment and safety works to proceed.“It is important as part of our ongoing health and safety programme that we are allowed to carry out this work, and we appeal to protesters not to interfere with these critical activities to be undertaken.“Local contractors need to remove their plant and machinery and I urge protesters not to prevent this machinery being removed so that these contractors can make use of it elsewhere,” said Steen.Independent TD Jerry Cowley said: “It is ridiculous that the pipeline was allowed to be put there in the first place. As long as the government is giving the easy option to these companies they will pursue the cheapest route.”Shell E&P Ireland Ltd is inviting e-mail submissions on its Corrib gas terminal project on sepil-info@shell.com