News and Media Releases
Shell Board Members leave Erris with a deep understanding of the challenges surrounding the Corrib Gas Project
26/01/2006
Over the past two days in Erris and Dublin, three non-executive members of the Board of Shell met a broad cross section of people and groups interested in the proposed Corrib Gas Project in Co Mayo.
Mr Wim Kok, together with Ms Nina Henderson and Mr Maarten van den Bergh, are members of the Shell Social Responsibility Committee (SRC), whose role is to review the policies and conduct of the company in relation to its commitment around Business Principles and Health, Safety and Environment.
They held meetings with county councillors, community development representatives, residents, the Government appointed mediator Mr Peter Cassells, all five Mayo TDs as well as other interested parties.
The directors were disappointed that invitations to non-consenting landowners and the Shell to Sea group were turned down and hopes that a dialogue between these groups and Shell management will be possible at a later date.
Commenting on their visit to Erris, the former Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok said “We listened carefully to a very wide range of views from local people, both for and against this important infrastructural development. My SRC colleagues and I now have a much deeper understanding of the challenges and issues which surround the Corrib Gas Project. It is our intention to bring the clear messages we’ve heard over the past two days to the highest levels of management in Shell.
In particular we understand the hurt that was caused last year. We firmly believe that building a partnership with the local community is the only way forward. We accept that Shell needs to work to ensure that the Corrib Gas Project is an integral part of the future development of Erris and County Mayo.
On behalf of Nina Henderson, Maarten van den Bergh and myself I would especially like to thank those people who took time to share their insights and opinions with us. I know our colleagues in Shell E&P Ireland (SEPIL) will continue to seek input from the local community so that this project can be successfully delivered for the mutual benefit of communities in Erris, the people of Mayo and Ireland and the Corrib Gas Partners”.