Fahey to examine Corrib gas plan

The Department of the Marine has sought a new and "more substantial" environmental impact statement from the developers of the Corrib gas field, following a foreshore licence application.

The Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, told the Dail that the first statement was unsatisfactory. He added that there would be a "rigorous examination" of the applications for the foreshore licence in all its aspects before any decision.

He was sure Mayo County Council would do the same in relation to an application for planning permission, he said.

Mr Michael Ring (FG) expressed concern about the impact of the development on the area. "The residents are concerned because they feel they are getting no information from the County Council, the Department of the Marine or Enterprise Energy," he said.

The Mayo TD asked if the Minister had taken into account the potential impact on marine life in an area which depended on fishing.

"People who have been involved in the fishing industry for many years are concerned about this massive development. What protection will be available for these people who were in the area before Enterprise Energy?" he asked.

Reassuring the deputy that investigations would be "rigorous" the Minister said the Department would be happy to make information available to the local community when it was appropriate to do so.

Mr Michael Bell, Labour's Marine spokesman, who raised the issue, referred to a report in The Irish Times that the Corrib owners were to sell gas individually.

He said he understood this would create substantial problems and effectively meant that three owners would be trying to market or sell gas individually. Mr Fahey said it was largely a question for the Department of Enterprise but he understood that Bord Gais would be the distributor. "Clearly, however, Enterprise Energy is in a position to sell to Bord Gais or other clients. I will clarify the situation," he said.