Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005
351 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a potential disaster of enormous proportions is being perpetrated on the residents of Rossport in north Mayo, who are being forced to live alongside an unprecedented high-pressure upstream gas pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20966/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not accept the position set out by the Deputy in his question. The consent by my predecessor for the construction of the Corrib gas field pipeline was given only after all aspects of the safety of the proposed pipeline had been considered and the then Minister was fully satisfied that the safety aspects would be carried out to the highest possible standard. It should be noted that the present position is that no consent has been given to date to install the onshore pipeline.
The Minister will ensure that all the conditions in the consent to construct the pipeline are complied with, including viz. "The line inspection and maintenance procedures will be subject to review and acceptance by Petroleum Affairs Division (of this Department) prior to commissioning" will be fully complied with by the developer. All public safety issues relating to the operation of the pipeline will be addressed prior to commissioning in that context, including the regime to be put in place to ensure safe operation of the pipeline. The Deputy is also aware that the developers have provided my Department with a quantified risk assessment, QRA, on the onshore section of the pipeline that addressed safety issues for those living on the pipeline route. I have commissioned an independent review of the QRA. I expect to receive the report of the review shortly, and I intend to publish it.
