I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together.
The officials of my Department did not brief my predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on the contents of the qualified risk assessment, QRA, on the Corrib Gas pipeline, as the consent to construct the pipeline had been granted prior to his appointment. The consent to construct a pipeline was given by the former Minister, Deputy Fahey.
The then Minister, Deputy Fahey, was advised of the thorough examination carried out by officials of the Department of the pipeline application including the recommendations made by the pipeline consultant on the design codes. The QRA formed part of a suite of detailed documents and reports considered within the petroleum affairs division of my Department prior to the submission of recommendations to the Minister. Having regard to the aforementioned thorough examination, the then Minister made his decision.