The Government has announced the establishment of a new forum aimed at resolving the ongoing Corrib gas dispute.
The forum, which will be headed by former senior civil servant Joe Brosnan, was jointly announced by Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív at Government Buildings this afternoon.
Under the Community Forum for Development in North West Mayo, local community and interest groups will be invited to meet with the chair of the forum, including Shell, representatives of the local workforce, local elected representatives, Government departments, Mayo County Council, Garda Síochána and representatives from state agencies.
As part of its remit, the forum could examine at issues relating to the Corrib project, such as compliance with permits and licences, policing, safety and environmental management. In addition to this, the forum will also consider aspects of local economic development, such as infrastructure, energy, tourism, and leisure and marine activities, as well as social development in the area.
Speaking at the launch of the forum, Mr Ryan said the Corrib Gas project had been a "protracted and sometimes painful process" for many of the people involved, but said the Government had a duty to protect the rights of all its citizens, including local communities and the developer.
"The Government also has a duty to act in the best interests of the Irish people. For energy security of supply and economic development, I believe this project is in the national interest. The forum will work to secure local interests and engage with their concerns," he said.
The Minister said this approach would represent the best possible way to move forward.
Mr Ó Cuiv said the forum would aim to create common ground to develop the area, and mediate differences that arose. "The Erris region's most important assets are its people. Divided, they cannot reach their potential," he said.
The forum was welcomed by Sinn Féin's spokesman on natural resources, Martin Ferris. "I welcome the fact that the forum is to be set up and hopefully it will contribute to a resolution of the situation. I hope that
the body will be a truly independent one," he said.
However, Mr Ferris said there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed, including health and safety concerns, amd how much the country stood to gain in revenue from the project, compared to other countries with off shore gas and oil resources.
Green Councillor Niall Ó Brolcháin gave a cautious welcome to the forum, saying it was not a solution in itself, but could lead to one.
"I am pleased that Minister Eamon Ryan has listened to our concerns and it is also good to see local Minister Eamon Ó Cuív playing a positive role in his own back yard. I believe that this conflict can be resolved and that
the two Eamons have the capacity to do that but only if they can properly take on board the genuine concerns of the local people," he said.
Mr Ryan and Mr Ó Cuiv recently held private talks with a number of groups in north Mayo in a bid to resolve the controversy surrounding the project, the first intervention from the Government since mediator Peter Cassells was appointed in late 2005.
Mr Cassells was unsuccessful in his initiative, having been given a remit limited to the onshore pipeline. In his report of July 2006, he made a number of recommendations, including diverting the pipeline route away from houses in Rossport.
Shell EP Ireland, which is the lead developer in the controversial pipeline project recently said relocation of the Bellanaboy gas terminal was "not an option".
Last month, the company abandoned its plans to lay the offshore pipeline for the project but said it hoped to resume work next year.