The compensation package that has been agreed with all EIFA members has two categories:
- Those who do not normally fish in the prescribed pipeline corridor will be paid to forego the right to fish along the pipeline corridor for the duration of this year’s offshore development programme.
- Those fishermen who have regularly fished along the prescribed pipeline corridor will be paid an additional amount to compensate for their loss of earnings during this year’s offshore development programme.
SEPIL has also committed to include "Marine and Environment" as one of the three funding categories in the long term Development Fund for Erris which will be launched later this year. Marine projects with Erris inshore fishermen, which are deemed to be sustainable, will be eligible for funding under this programme.
While SEPIL recognises that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and international experts have confirmed that the treated produced water will cause no harm to the marine environment, SEPIL made a significant goodwill gesture to the EIFA by offering to use an alternative method of discharge for treated produced water, which is subject to statutory approval.
The EIFA has confirmed that the currently permitted outfall location is acceptable to them subject to treated produced water not being discharged there.
Mr Eamonn Ó’Duibhir, Chairman of the EIFA said, "Over the past six weeks EIFA representatives and SEPIL have met nine times. Our discussions were always cordial and constructive but sometimes we had to be very frank with each other. We built a relationship of trust and through our dialogue we have reached a mutually acceptable agreement which is good for the marine community in Erris as well as the Corrib Gas Project."
An agreement has already been signed with Erris Lobster Conservation and Restocking Association (ELCRA) whose members are eligible for payment under the first category. ELCRA has stated its intention to apply for funding for sustainable development projects associated with the conservation of the indigenous lobster population under the long-term Development Fund for Erris.
