Michael Ring
Question:179 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether an independent environmental impact study will be commissioned of the Corrib gas field in north Mayo. [2187/01]
Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.
Enterprise Energy Ireland commissioned an environmental impact statement – EIS – on the proposed development of the Corrib gas field from RSK Environment Limited. This document formed part of the public consultation process which the company entered into on 22 November last and my Department received a number of submissions on the matter before the public consultation period ended on 31 December 2000.
In addition, my Department engaged an independent firm of consultants, Environmental Resource Management, ERM, to review the adequacy of the EIS. ERM's report is being considered by my Department.
I will take my Department's consultants' views, the submissions received, Enterprise Energy Ireland's response to those submissions and the views of my Department's experts into account when considering the applications for a petroleum lease and foreshore licence, both of which will be necessary to bring the field into production.