Advantica report to cost taxpayers €70,000

THE cost to the taxpayer of the Advantica Report commissioned by the government into the safety of the proposed controversial Shell onshore gas pipeline in North Mayo is a minimum of €70,000 Dr Jerry Cowley TD has been told.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Mr. Noel Dempsey said Advantica had been appointed to conduct the safety review following a public tendering process.
Advantica presented a draft of this independent safety review to the local community on December 8, in Belmullet and a discussion was held, chaired by the mediator, Mr. Peter Cassells.

Mr. Dempsey added: “The technical advisory group within my Department is taking submissions on this draft, and these will be forwarded to Advantica for the preparation of a final draft.
“As Advantica has yet to submit a final report and we cannot rule out the possibility of further work being required, a precise figure for a final cost is not available. However, the contracted amount for work done is approximately €70,000,” he said.

Dr. Cowley said he could not agree the report represented good value as it has failed to address the concerns of the residents of the Rossport and Bellanaboy areas.