Government mediator Peter Cassells has urged the establishment of an "investment fund" in north Mayo as one of a series of recommendations aimed at resolving issues over the Corrib gas onshore pipeline.
The report by Mr Cassells, published yesterday by Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey, has also advised Shell E&P Ireland to "modify" the route of the 9km onshore pipeline linking the offshore Corrib gas field to the proposed terminal or refinery at Bellanaboy in north Mayo.
Mr Cassells did not specify alternatives and said he could not revisit issues relating to safety of the pipeline, which were covered by a consultancy study published by the Minister in May. Nor could he address the issue of the terminal site - planning for which was approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2004 after several applications and oral hearings - but he does refer to concerns over pollution of the water supply there.
Mr Cassells compiled his report at the request of the Minister after concluding mediation talks a fortnight ago.
The former Ictu general secretary was appointed by Mr Dempsey last year and in January he initiated talks between Shell and the men jailed last year for 94 days over opposition to the pipeline.
In his 21-page report Mr Cassells traces a brief history of the project and the context for mediation. He credits Mr Dempsey with intervening to secure the release of the five men jailed over opposition to the pipeline and says that the majority of people in Rossport, the wider Erris area and Co Mayo favour the project, although some have genuine safety concerns. During his consultations, concerns had been expressed about intimidation of people in the local area, and he advised that these complaints be brought to the Garda Síochána.
In addition to the pipeline route modification, Mr Cassells recommends that consideration be given to involving Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) in the project to "provide added assurance that local concerns would be adequately dealt with".
He recommends that water run-off from the terminal construction site and discharges from same be "closely monitored" and that local people should be kept informed. The terminal is close to the main public water supply for the area at Carrowmore lake.
Mr Cassells recommends a series of financial incentives to win support, including further discussions on "any anomalies on financial compensation" for landowners on the pipeline route and the establishment of an "investment fund" for local development. This fund would involve Shell and local development agencies.
He recommends improving the roads, reviewing and strengthening local involvement in monitoring arrangements and establishing a "transparent system" for dealing with local concerns and complaints.
