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Gas from the Corrib field, off north Mayo, is not expected to flow until 2009. That may appear to be a long time away but, in terms of the work required in building a pipeline and production terminal, it represents an extremely tight schedule. And with local protests continuing, there is no certainty targets will be met. Because of that, the sooner an alternative pipeline route is agreed with local landowners, the better.

The Government's initial handling of issues surrounding development of the gas field was as arrogant and incompetent as the stance adopted to local protesters by Shell. No added-value was envisaged for the local economy because the processed gas would be piped directly to Galway and onwards to Dublin.