Irish Times: Sides in gas dispute differ in their views of findings: “Shell E&P Ireland has described as "detailed and thorough" the new safety review of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline, while the Shell To Sea campaign has said consultants failed to address the central issue of the high-pressure pipeline's proximity to people's homes.”: Friday December 09, 2005

Lorna Siggins and Tom Shiel

Shell E&P Ireland has described as "detailed and thorough" the new safety review of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline, while the Shell To Sea campaign has said consultants failed to address the central issue of the high-pressure pipeline's proximity to people's homes.

Shell E&P Ireland said in a statement it would study the draft report in detail, and would take "appropriate action" to address the "concerns" of the local community "as soon as possible".

Dr Mark Garavan, spokesman for the Shell To Sea campaign, said from an initial reading the findings were "illogical".

The consultants had stated the pipeline must be at 144 bar pressure to be safe but this could not be guaranteed.

"The only guarantee is distance from homes, but this is excluded from the consultants' terms of reference."

Mayo TD Dr Jerry Cowley (Ind) said the report does not go far enough in terms of recommending other options, such as an offshore platform, while highlighting serious safety issues and vindicating the concerns of Rossport residents.

Green Party marine spokesman Eamon Ryan called for a major redesign of the pipeline. "While Shell and the Government will no doubt spin that the report comes out in their favour, the recommendation that the pipeline should be built to a much stricter design code, suitable for a pipeline running through a suburban area, will surely mean that the whole pipeline design will have to be reviewed."

Chris Tallott, of the North West Action Group, said he was disappointed there was not enough clarity in the report. It had not addressed a lot of concerns, especially those of people living close by the pipeline and close to the terminal.

Bellanaboy resident Jacinta Healy said the report had vindicated the Rossport five, and should have been done years ago. "The Government has let us down badly."

Maura Harrington, of the Shell To Sea campaign, said the absence of the Rossport five at the presentation was "a statement" in itself.

Click here to return to ShellNews.net HOME PAGE