Corrib controversy: timeline

1996 Corrib gas field discovery, 80km off the Mayo coast, confirmed by Enterprise Energy Ireland

1996Corrib gas field discovery, 80km off the Mayo coast, confirmed by Enterprise Energy Ireland

October 2000Bord Gáis announces a gas pipeline from Mayo to Galway

November 2000Enterprise Energy Ireland applies for planning permission for a gas processing plant at Ballinaboy

April 2002Minister for the Marine Frank Fahey approves construction of the pipeline, exempt from planning

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May 2002Shell takes over Enterprise Energy Ireland

April 2003An Bord Pleanála turns down application for onshore terminal at Ballinaboy

October 2004New planning application for Corrib onshore terminal given final approval by planning board

June 2005Residents' concerns over first proposed onshore pipeline route lead to jailing of Rossport Five for 94 days

July 2005Minister for the marine Noel Dempsey directs Shell to dismantle an illegal 3km section of onshore pipeline

July 2006Mediation fails to resolve dispute, but report recommends pipeline route be modified to take it away from houses

November 2007Restoration of special area of conservation ordered at Glengad after unauthorised drilling

February 2009Shell seeks permission for revised pipeline route, avoiding houses in Rossport

May 2009An Bord Pleanála hearing on pipeline opens

November 2009An Bord Pleanála deems half of the new route unacceptable due to proximity to housing, but gives approval if alterations made

May 2010Third route under Sruwaddacon estuary applied for by Corrib gas partners

August 2010An Bord Pleanála resumes oral hearing into pipeline

December 2010Pobal Chill Chomáin appeals unsuccessfully to Bord Pleanála to re-open the oral hearing, due to a disparity in information given by the Corrib gas developers for a separate foreshore licence application for the third pipeline route

January 2011An Bord Pleanála approves third pipeline route and compulsory acquisition orders. Foreshore licence and Gas Act section 40 approval still required, along with application from Environmental Protection Agency for revised emissions licence