THE CHAIRMAN of the Community Forum for Development in North West Mayo, Joe Brosnan, will engage in contingency talks in the coming weeks with some community groups opposing the Corrib gas project.
A number of groups opposing the project boycotted yesterday's session of the forum in Belmullet.
However, a broad range of community groups and State agencies took part in the one-day forum, set up to address concerns about the Corrib gas project and overall economic development in the Erris region.
Mr Brosnan, a retired senior civil servant, was in Belmullet yesterday with Ministers Eamon Ryan and Éamon Ó Cuív for the inaugural session of the forum.
Community groups Pobal Chill Chomán, Pobal le Chéile and Shell to Sea believe the terms of reference should include the relocation of the refinery at Bellanaboy and prioritise community consent.
However, during informal engagements at the forum venue, Mr Brosnan asked the chairman of local business group Pobal le Chéile, Ciarán Ó Murchú, to outline to him a process that would be acceptable to his group - and Pobal Chill Chomán - to ensure their future inclusion.
Mr Brosnan said there was not any "no-go" area and that he was disappointed that all those invited had not attended the forum.
Shell EP Ireland's managing director, Terry Nolan, said the company will work with the forum's chairman and other participants "to leverage the development opportunities that will flow from Corrib".
Speaking at the forum, Mr Ryan said: "Safety, environmental concerns and equitable dealings towards all will be my priorities throughout this process."
He also observed that northwest Mayo could become an energy hub and "has some of the best ocean and wind resources in the world".
Addressing the forum, Mr Ó Cuív said: "We have to do all we can to maximise the local dividend of such a major project, so that we have the best outcome for Ireland, for Mayo and particularly for Erris."
At a press briefing afterwards, he likened the potential of the initiative to Northern Ireland's Forum for Peace and Reconciliation but stressed that both Ministers had to act within legal constraints.
When asked about ongoing High Court challenges to original consents, Mr Ó Cuív said any such rulings would also be adhered to.
The chairman of the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association, Eddie Diver, who participated, said the forum should have happened years ago when it could have made a real difference.
"Our group resolved our issues with Shell during the summer over the disposal of pollutants at sea. We think the forum is constructive but the terms of reference are too narrow," said Mr Diver.
Cllr Tim Quinn (Fianna Fáil) also criticised the narrowness of the terms of reference. "The forum should be open to everyone and the terms of reference should include the issue of the location of the refinery. What's the point of having dialogue when the whole agenda is constricted," said Mr Quinn.
Chief Supt Tony McNamara also expressed his disappointment that opponents of the project had declined to engage with the project. He also conceded there had been "significant policing issues " relating to the project.
The next session of the forum is scheduled for January 19th.