The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has called on all parties in the Corrib pipeline dispute to "respond positively to the recommendations" of mediator Peter Cassells.
Mr Noel Dempsey this morning criticised the people who "no matter what you do will find an excuse to oppose this project". He said that what the Department and the Government-appointed mediator have tried to do is "address the genuine concerns . . . and allay those concerns."
The Minister also dismissed the suggestion that he did not get personally involved in the local dispute.
Mr Cassells published his report this morning and though he concluded that no agreement was likely, he recommends that Shell change the route of its controversial gas pipeline to take it away from houses in the area.
The former head of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions also suggested that the Government should consider involving the State agency Bord Gáis in the construction of the pipeline.
The final decision on whether the pipeline is built still lies with Shell, but as long as its "meets all of the safety conditions", the Government has given its backing.
Mr Dempsey was also adamant that the Government will not get involved in the drilling process. "Nobody would thank any Irish Government if they were spending €150 million a year on dry wells.
"We have chosen as a State, and no Government has ever deviated from this, to allow the private sector to develop our oil and gas resources."
Mr Cassells advised that construction of the terminal and discharges when operational be closely monitored, and that services and employees are sought locally. He said Mayo should get a further gas supply and broadband because the Mayo-Galway pipeline has ducts in which the fibre optic cable could be laid.
Shell E&P Ireland (Sepil)welcomed its publication this afternoon. Andy Pyle, managing director of Sepil, said: "I welcome the publication of today's report as providing the ingredients of the way forward.
"The project will bring many benefits, including security of energy supply to Ireland and significant employment to Erris.
Sepil together with our partners in the Corrib gas project, Statoil and Marathon, are fully committed to delivering this project in partnership with the local community.
"Today's report is detailed and thorough and contains a number of recommendations that we need to consider before responding in full," he said.
Dr Mark Garavan, spokesperson for the Shell to Sea campaign told RTE Newstoday that their "initial reaction would be disappointment that the report doesn't get to the core of the problem.
"We have no difficulty with the principal of the Corrib gas project," he added. "What we have argued for all the time is that this project should be configured so that safety and community consent are prioritised.
"And we have suggested as a compromise way of doing this, so that everyone gains, that this gas could be processed offshore.
"Now, if Shell has an alternative way, one that takes their gas processing plant away from a populated area, it is for them to come forward with those proposals."
However, Mr Garvin added that he saw no feasible way of Shell achieving that.
Mr Cassells, speaking about the reaction to the report, said that the parties are "not going to resolve their differences directly" but added that there is an "opportunity" for the project to bring "major benefits" to the the immediate area of Erris, Rossport, and Mayo.
He added that its project is of "national strategic importance".