Natural Gas Grid.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004

Tuesday, 29 June 2004

Ceisteanna (3)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

3 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself with the manner in which consent has been given for an onshore import pipeline from the Corrib gas field to the proposed Bellanboy gas refinery; the procedures and analysis which were adopted in the processing of this application; and the way in which his Department assessed the structural stability of such onshore pipelines constructed in deep peat soil. [19552/04]

Freagraí ó Béal (7 píosaí cainte)

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Browne)

In April 2002, as part of my approval of the plan for the development of the Corrib gas field, I gave consent to the developers to lay an onshore and offshore pipeline to which I attached a number of conditions, both technical and environmental. The developers, in carrying out this work, must comply with all these conditions.

In my consideration and appraisal of the pipeline proposal I commissioned an independent technical evaluation of the onshore pipeline. The evaluation was carried out by a pipeline technical expert, Mr. Andrew Johnston, and is entitled Corrib Gas Pipeline Project, Report on Evaluation of the Onshore Pipeline, Design Code. This study addressed design, methodology, operating conditions, pipeline corrosion, public safety, welding and testing, pipeline material quality and protection from interference. Mr. Johnston's report states that the onshore pipeline design code has been selected in accordance with best public safety considerations and is appropriate for the pipeline operating conditions.

Subject to the developers' undertaking to comply with a number of conditions laid down in approval or consents granted by me, the design is generally in accordance with best national and international industry practice and the pipeline is considered to meet public safety requirements. Copies of Mr. Johnston's report have been issued on request.

Mr. Eamon Ryan

May I receive from the Department a copy of the consent letter from the then Minister, Deputy Fahey? Is the letter, which was presented in the recent additional information request pertaining to the recent planning application of 15 April, of which I have a copy, the only consent letter? If there is a separate one, I would like a commitment from the Minister of State to send a copy to me. Will he also send me details on Mr. Johnston, who carried out the independent pipeline report? I have been unable to find contact details in any of the reports that are available.

Is the Minister concerned that neither Mr. Johnston's report nor the initial design report took into account the possibility of bog-slide or bog disturbance, as occurred in the same area last summer and which could have an effect on the pipeline? Is he concerned that when the local authority asked the company about this in reference to the recent planning application, the only evidence provided in its reply was the same letter from the Minister, dated 15 April, which states nothing about possible risks from bog movement?

More importantly, considering the conditions set out in the qualified risk assessment report on the pipeline design near the road, its ability to survive leakage or the water corrosion that might occur in it, have the Minister of State and his Department received any of those reports and why did the Department not require confirmation of those reports before it provided consent? What was the hurry in issuing consent to this report only two or three months after the first designs were presented, only two weeks after the Minister's assessment report came in and only days before the Minister left office due to the election? What was the hurry in issuing this consent and why did his Department not look for the reassurances required by the independent analyst before it gave consent?

Mr. Browne

There was no hurrying on the issue of consent. We commissioned an independent technical evaluation of the onshore pipeline and this was carried out by Mr. Andrew Johnston. We will make his report available to Deputy Ryan this evening or tomorrow.

Mr. Eamon Ryan

I have the report. I wish to have the contact details.

Mr. Browne

The criteria used to identify and select the route between the landfill site and the terminal were the avoidance, as far as possible, of significant ecological, archaeological and engineering features; location of special areas of conservation and special protection areas; the avoidance, where possible, of potentially difficult construction areas such as side slopes, solid rock strata, peat complexes and river crossings; and the shortest distance, bearing in mind the other criteria.

While consent was issued in April 2002, the consent to construct a pipeline is, essentially, permission in principle to proceed with the design. This is followed at the installation stage by the issue by the petroleum affairs division, PAD, of the consent to install for the various phases of pipe laying. The Deputy raised the issue of peat. While the PAD is not aware that the construction of a pipeline in deep peat soil is problematic, it intends to have the peat issue addressed by the developers as part of the consent to install process. The issue raised by the Deputy will be dealt with by the PAD.

Mr. Eamon Ryan

Is this the only consent letter or is there a separate consent letter which the Minister of State can provide for me? Does the Minister of State agree that the inspector's report states that this is a highly unusual pipeline, that there are very few international standards for an onshore pipeline which takes 330 bar pressure because most pipelines take approximately 100 bar, that the real risk here arises because the pipeline will carry gas, liquid and other impurities straight from the well which could be very corrosive and that the situation will be volatile and dangerous for local people, not just for the ecology?

Mr. Browne

Mr. Johnston is the expert in his field and the expertise in my Department confirms that the pipeline more than meets the standards laid down.