Statement by Marine Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher TD re Corrib Gas Field

The Minister is now moving to progress matters further. In relation to the mediator, he is in consultation with both sides in an effort to identify a person or body who might be willing to undertake that work. It is his intention that by this weekend a list of possible mediators will be provided to both sides to establish their acceptability and to see if we can come up with an agreed name. As soon as that process is complete, the mediator will then start work. In the meantime, both sides are now adopting a very positive approach to resolving issues between them.

The Corrib has been a high priority issue for Minister Dempsey and he is greatly encouraged by recent developments, which offer an opportunity for both sides to move forward. As a public representative of the West of Ireland, I have been keenly interested in the matter and I share the Minister’s sense of encouragement.

I am also keenly aware that the Corrib is a major infrastructural project, which has the potential to play a significant role in the economic and social regeneration of Mayo and the northwest region. It will make a real contribution to sustainable development in the area in that it will:

• act as a catalyst for the extension of the Bórd Gais gas distribution system to towns in the region;
• facilitate the improvement of the region's infrastructure, particularly its electricity supply and distribution network, thereby removing a major barrier to inward investment; and
• increase local employment, in both the short and long term.

The development will also increase Ireland's security of supply by providing a reliable, secure and indigenous source of gas. With the current increases in oil prices the strategic value of indigenous gas obviously increases.

However, notwithstanding the potential benefits, it is of crucial importance that the project proceeds with the agreement of all the interested parties. It was a source of great regret to me that the five Rossport men were committed to prison as a result of their opposition to the proposed pipeline. Over the past three months, my colleague Minister Dempsey has been endeavouring at every opportunity to create the conditions that would allow this matter to be resolved. During that time, and following contact through an intermediary with the five men, he ordered a full safety review of the Corrib onshore upstream pipeline. The Minister also increased the monitoring and supervision of the project. On 25th August last he appointed Advantica Consultants to conduct the safety review and more recently he announced a public consultation process, including a two day public hearing in the locality to take place on 12th and 13th October.

Senators may be aware that the Corrib issue was discussed in the Dail on a number of occasions last week. The Taoiseach commented on the matter during Leader's Questions and I also addressed the House on the issue. Minister Dempsey also dealt with this matter in some detail at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The strong message coming through from the various Oireachtas debates was that the issue needed to be moved forward. Late last week the Minister contacted both sides in an effort to break the impasse and indicated to them that the Government would appoint a mediator if both sides were willing to participate in a mediation process. The Minister then called on both parties to create the conditions which would allow such a process to commence immediately. I'm glad to say that both sides responded positively to the Minister's initiative.

I share the Minister's hope that the progress made to date, along with the appointment of a mediator, will allow all those concerned to participate fully in the public consultation process of the safety review and to work together to resolve the difficulties that have arisen.

The safety review of the onshore upstream gas pipeline is now underway. It will be thorough and comprehensive and will be carried out by independent internationally recognised experts. Advantica, the successful bidder, is a world leader in the development and application of advanced hazard and risk assessment technologies for gas pipelines. The review will examine critically all relevant documentation relating to the design, construction and operation of the pipeline and associated facilities. Advantica has been asked to identify deficiencies, if any in relation to safety and to make recommendations as to how these can be remedied.

I think it is important that people who have views relating to the safety of the pipeline should have the opportunity to have those views considered by Advantica. This aspect is being addressed and views are now being invited from local residents, communities and any interested party. Advantica have visited the Corrib Site as part of their work and, as I have stated, a two-day public hearing will be held in Mayo later this month. The hearing will be chaired by John Gallagher S.C. This hearing is an opportunity for everyone locally who has concerns to clearly express those concerns and to ensure that all safety issues are brought to the attention of Advantica for full consideration.

I can assure Senators that, despite some media comments to the contrary, the Safety Review will most certainly deal with the issue of the pipeline’s proximity to dwellings. Clearly no Safety Review could take place without full consideration of this issue of proximity. It is a key issue, which has been at the centre of genuine local concerns about the project. Advantica know that it is an issue which has to be dealt with fully and explicitly in their work and it will be.

I know that local residents are also concerned about the ongoing safety of the pipeline if it was in place. It has been commented, incorrectly that there is no State agency with specific responsibility for onshore upstream pipeline safety. I want to assure the House that this is not the case. The Minister has specific powers in relation to the safety of the gas pipelines and he will use all legislative mechanisms available to him to ensure that safety in installations and operation, of such pipelines, is being addressed and policed properly.

It is the also the Minister's intention, as outlined by him in the Dail last July, that a clear regime for the operation and maintenance of the pipeline will be in place. The safety regime will be spelt out clearly and will be in place before the first gas flows through the pipeline from the Corrib Field. The Minister will ensure that the highest standards of safety will apply and that procedures will be open and transparent. Obviously, if Advantica put forward any recommendations on these issues in their final report they will be fully take into account in the preparation of the final consents.

I want now to turn to the legal basis regarding the gas field. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for the regulatory aspects of petroleum exploration and development. Authorisations were granted for the Corrib gas field under a number of provisions. Under the Continental Shelf Act 1968, authorisation was given for the construction of the sub-sea facilities within the continental shelf designated areas. Consent was also given for the plan for the development of the field under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960. Under the Gas Act 1976, as amended, consents was given for the construction of a gas pipeline from the gas field through the offshore up to the terminal building. A foreshore licence was also granted under the Foreshores Acts. In accordance with EU directives, an environmental impact assessment was carried out and Environmental Impact Statement was submitted with each application for consent or approval.

It has been suggested that the terminal be sited offshore. The reality, however, is that the proposal made by the developer to the Department was for an on-shore terminal only. This on-shore terminal was considered by the developer to be the most appropriate. I understand that it is now becoming common practice to place terminals on-shore rather than at sea. After consideration of a number of sites of entry for the pipeline the developers proposed to bring it ashore at Dooncarton in Broadhaven Bay. Their proposal, which has since been approved, was to run the pipeline for 9kms to the terminal site.

In summary, I think it is clear that, while the matter is by no means resolved, significant progress has been made which can be built on through the mediation process as well as the safety review and public hearing. Minister Dempsey will continue to listen to the health and safety concerns of residents in the vicinity of the Corrib Onshore Gas Pipeline and will continue his commitment to having these issues dealt with through the appropriate mechanisms.

Ends