A BRITISH-based church organisation has called on Royal Dutch Shell plc to revisit a compromise proposal aimed at resolving the Corrib gas dispute in north Mayo.
The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR), which is in regular contact with the world's second-largest private sector energy corporation, confirmed yesterday that it has been in touch with Shell headquarters in The Hague this week on the Mayo situation.
It says Royal Dutch Shell has promised to give the proposal "further consideration". ECCR spokesman Miles Litvinov said he had been informed of this by officials in The Hague.
The compromise proposal made by former Shell to Sea supporters to relocate the gas refinery to an alternative coastal location at Glinsk was rejected in late April by Shell EP Ireland.
"We are aware of Shell EP Ireland's rejection, but ECCR has its own ongoing dialogue with Shell and sometimes we find it is willing to listen," Mr Litvinov said.
The proposal made by Pobal Chill Chomain, a new grouping of community representatives, received the backing of Labour Party president Michael D Higgins, Fine Gael TD Michael Ring and Bishop of Killala Dr John Fleming among others.
The ECCR has forwarded correspondence supporting this to Royal Dutch Shell directors, and says the proposal also has the support of the Mayo Green Party, Safe, the Norwegian oil and gas workers' union, and the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association.
"ECCR is urging Shell to consider very carefully all relevant factors, including the long-term reputational benefits it will gain from reaching a settlement with the vast majority of the local Rossport community," the church group said.
"ECCR is also notifying British and Irish church investors, trade union and other pension funds, and the wider responsible-investor community about this development, asking all concerned to join calls on Shell to accept the relocation proposal for the greater public good."
The ECCR quotes Dr Fleming as stating that the relocation proposal represents a "significant attempt to resolve the ongoing difficulties which have surrounded the Corrib Gas project in north Mayo".
ECCR is a church-based membership organisation that undertakes research, advocacy and dialogue with companies and investors.
It says it "seeks to influence company policy and practice and to raise awareness of corporate and investor-responsibility issues among the British and Irish churches, the investor community and the general public".