Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004
16 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the information available to his Department regarding the proposed development of the Corrib gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10231/04]
View answerAt the outset I would inform the Deputy that all relevant approvals from my Department have issued in respect of the proposed development of the Corrib gas field since 2002.
These approvals/consents include: a plan of development approval dated 15 April 2002 under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960; consent to construct a pipeline dated 15 April 2002 under the Gas Act 1976 as amended; consent under section 5 of the Continental Shelf Act 1968, as amended, dated 15 April 2002; and Foreshore Licence approval 17 May 2002 under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. The proposed project is awaiting planning permission for a gas terminal at Bellanaboy, County Mayo.
In 2003 the developers were refused planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for a gas terminal. This refusal was on the following basis: contours of the area of the repositories; the amount and pattern of rainfall in the area; the characteristics of the disaggregated peat; the method proposed for the moving of material to and within the repositories; and the details of the system for the retention of the deposited materials.
Having regard to the foregoing, the board considered that the proposed surface drainage system would be ineffective in ensuring the integrity of the peat repositories as permanent structures for the retention of peat and other unsuitable materials proposed. The developers of the Corrib gas field submitted a new application to Mayo County Council on 17 December 2003. The major change in the new application related to the proposals for the removal of the peat surrounding the terminal to a Bord na Móna bog at Srahmore 11 kilometres away. On 17 February 2004 Mayo County Council requested further information from the developers. I understand from the developers that the additional information sought by Mayo County Council was furnished to it on 11 March 2004.
As of now the developers are awaiting a determination from Mayo County Council on their application under the Planning and Development Act 2000. Achieving first gas, originally scheduled for 2005, is now dependant on the outcome of this determination.
