Shell E&P Ireland calls for dialogue to resolve the outstanding concerns relating to the Corrib project.

Shell E&P Ireland (SEPIL) has today expressed its disappointment that the principal objectors to the Corrib Gas Project refused to engage in face-to-face dialogue during seven months of mediation.

Throughout the mediation process, SEPIL consistently offered to discuss and address the safety issues raised by the main objectors. Furthermore the company was willing, in the context of face to face discussions, to consider a number of pipeline route alternatives and is still prepared to do so.

Commenting on today’s announcement SEPIL’s Managing Director, Andy Pyle stated: “The Corrib Gas Partners are disappointed that despite seven months of shuttle diplomacy by Peter Cassells, the objectors consistently refused to meet us. We never had the opportunity to discuss their concerns across a table. During mediation - we indicated that were prepared to consider all development concepts and alternative pipeline routes. But unfortunately the goalposts keep shifting – the objectors insisted that Shell committed to moving the terminal site before they would meet us face to face. This is unreasonable and unacceptable. The terminal site has full planning permission.”

Mr. Pyle went on to say,  “Over the past seven months the Corrib Gas Partners have made sincere efforts to resolve the difficulties surrounding the project:

We admitted that mistakes were made and have publicly apologised for the hurt that was caused last summer.

Construction work on the Corrib project was suspended voluntarily to allow the Independent Safety Review and the mediation process to be concluded. No onshore construction work for the Corrib Project has been carried out for nearly a year.

The Corrib Gas Partners have agreed to implement the recommendations of the Independent Safety Review.

Despite the announcement from Mr Peter Cassells that his mediation efforts to date, have not succeeded in bridging the gap between both parties, we firmly believe that a compromise solution acceptable to the local community can still be found.”

The Independent Safety Review into the onshore pipeline, published in May, said that provided its recommendations are met “the pipeline design and proposed route should be accepted as meeting or exceeding international standards in terms of the acceptability of risk and international best practise for high pressure pipelines”.

The company believes that the majority of people in Erris want to see the Corrib project delivered so that the full benefits to Erris, Co Mayo and Ireland can be realised. The Corrib gas project is vital for Ireland’s security of energy supply. It will bring over 700 jobs to the Erris region during the construction phase and 50 full-time jobs. SEPIL has been through a lengthy planning process and is keen to get back to work on the project.

SEPIL has stated repeatedly over the past year that it would do more to listen to and engage with the local community.  The increase in local staffing and the appointment of SEPIL’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr Terry Nolan who will be based in Belmullet are early proof of this new approach.

The Corrib Gas Partners are fully committed to working in partnership with the local community to successfully deliver the project. The company awaits the report of the independent mediator and will respond to its findings in due course.