Tom Hayes
Ceist:341 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had meetings with regard to the Corrib gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22142/03]
Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.
I have attended a meeting, requested by Shell, with the Taoiseach and the managing director of Shell Exploration and Production for Europe. At the meeting, Shell briefed the Taoiseach on the present state of the company's consideration of the An Bord Pleanála rejection of its application for planning permission for the gas terminal at Bellanaboy. It took the opportunity to express its serious concerns as to the uncertainties in certain elements of the planning processes for major infrastructural projects. It drew attention to the substantial costs already incurred on the project and the length of time – 20 months – taken by An Bord Pleanála to deal with the planning appeal for the proposed terminal for the development. It was pointed out to the company that, while the Government was supportive of the project to exploit the Corrib gas reservoir, consideration of, and decision-making on, relevant planning applications, at county council and An Bord Pleanála levels were strictly subject to statutorily independent processes.
Since planning approval for the development and construction of a proposed terminal at Bellanaboy, County Mayo, was refused at the end of April 2003 my Department has had a total of four meetings with Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited, EEIL on the Corrib gas field development. The objective of these meetings was to keep the Department apprised of EEILs present position in relation to its deliberations on the proposed Corrib gas field development.