Working with the local Community

Corrib will supply up to 60% of Ireland’s gas needs at peak production. An independent report from Goodbody Economic Consultants, published in 2007, estimated that during the construction phase of the project, the local Mayo economy would directly benefit by approximately €181 million – significantly boosting the local economy.

Fully recognising the importance of working in partnership with the local community, Shell E&P Ireland Limited (SEPIL) committed to employing local workers wherever possible and to offering business opportunities to contractors and suppliers in Erris.

This approach led to a significant increase in the number of Corrib representatives living and working within the local community – there are currently over 50 employees based at our Belmullet office and during peak construction at the terminal site more than 1000 workers were living in the Erris area and wider Mayo region.

When Mr Terry Nolan was appointed Deputy Managing Director of SEPIL in 2006 he spent almost two years living and working within the local community. This contributed significantly to building relationships locally and reinforcing support for the Corrib project. Mr Nolan was appointed Managing Director of SEPIL in May 2008 and continues to spend a significant proportion of his time in Mayo.

Community Liaison Officers meet with members of the community on a daily basis and their role is to listen to community concerns and ensure that they are addressed. A dedicated Social Investment Advisor works closely with local community groups and organisations to help deliver the Corrib Natural Gas “Investment in the Community” initiatives. The Local Grants Programme offers local groups and voluntary organisations funding of up to €10,000 per annum. Since its launch in 2007 more than 200 local community groups have applied for funding under the programme.

Members of the local community are invited to tour the terminal construction site. Site tours are organised approximately every month and in 2008 more than 1,050 people visited the site at Bellanaboy Bridge.

In addition, bi-monthly Corrib gas newsletters and quarterly stakeholder updates are issued to households in the Erris area. These updates contain news about local initiatives as well as project milestones and progress reports. They help to ensure that the local community is well informed about project progress.

It is because of this constant engagement and our very broad range of relationships that we have with members of the local community that we are confident that the majority of people in the local area support the project.

In his report published in July 2006, independent mediator Mr Peter Cassells said “From my discussions with local people it is clear that a majority of people in Rossport, the wider Erris area and County Mayo are in favour of the project.”