TD blames 'bullying tactics' for Corrib gas field impasse

Mayo Fine Gael TD Mr Michael Ring said the "bullying tactics" of the Royal Dutch Shell subsidiary, Enterprise Energy Ireland, and the Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Mr Frank Fahey, had caused the impasse with the Corrib gas field development.

"It is the fault of Enterprise Energy Ireland (EEI) and Mr Fahey, as former marine minister, that we are where we are now with the Corrib field," Mr Ring said yesterday. "If they hadn't tried to bully the people of Mayo over the gas terminal, we wouldn't be at this stage."

Mr Ring, who is attending a meeting hosted by Mr Fahey in the Dáil this evening on the issue, also said it was "incorrect" for the Minister of State to describe as a "technicality" the grounds for An Bord Pleanála's refusal of the terminal project.

Last week, the planning appeals board refused planning permission for the terminal at Bellanaboy because of the risks posed by peat transferred from the site. Shell/EEI said it was "reviewing" the €800 million project because of the decision.

"An Bord Pleanála's refusal was more serious than a technicality, and Shell/EEI will have to find an alternative site," Mr Ring said.

"I am all for this gas coming ashore, but it cannot now come ashore at Bellanaboy," he said.

Mr Ring said he would support construction of an offshore platform as the safest option, and one which would generate more employment.

Earlier this week, Mr Fahey said he wanted to forge a "western consensus" on the project to ensure that Shell/EEI maintained its commitment to the gas project. He denied that the meeting had been requested by EEI, or that he had invited its chief executive, Mr Andy Pyle.

The Mayo Independent TD, Dr Jerry Cowley, said he would attend the meeting, but would be calling on the company to build a shallow water platform offshore for processing gas. The inspector's report from An Bord Pleanála had clearly demonstrated that this was the international norm.

"An offshore platform will create over 1,000 jobs, and will be safer and environmentally preferable to an onshore site," said Dr Cowley.