The Government has appointed an international consultancy company, Advantica, to conduct an independent review of the safety of Shell's planned Corrib onshore gas pipeline in Co Mayo.
The report is due to be completed within six weeks and its findings will be made public.
Five men remain in jail for defying an injunction preventing them from interfering with work on the pipeline.
The chosen company has previously worked for Shell, but the Department of Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources said yesterday that several other companies which had tendered to conduct the safety review had also done so.
The selection panel had decided there was no conflict of interest, it said.
The company which conducted the initial safety review was part-owned by Shell. Minister for Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey decided on the second review to address the fears and concerns of local residents, he said.
Mr Dempsey announced the appointment of Advantica yesterday after a competition in which eight companies submitted tenders. The closing date was July 29th last.
The company specialises in the assessment of risks and hazards associated with gas pipelines and above-ground pressure systems.
It has extensive experience in risk assessment for pipeline design, pipeline route assessment, safety case preparation, pipeline rupture investigation, pipeline design codes and standards.
"The purpose of this review is to meet the concerns and fears expressed by local residents in relation to the safety of the onshore pipeline," Mr Dempsey said yesterday.
"I am satisfied that the company identified by the Tag [ Technical Advisory Group], Advantica, has the requisite knowledge and experience to conduct this review to the highest possible standards and I will ensure that a communication mechanism is put in place between the local residents and the consultants."
The terms of reference for the safety review instruct Advantica to conduct a comprehensive health and safety review of the planned pipeline, which many local residents claim will be unsafe. The company must examine all documentation related to the project and decide whether the project operates to appropriate standards and in accordance with international best practice.
The department saidAdvantica had previously worked for Shell, "in common with several of the other companies applying for the contract This work involved hazard and risk assessment, arising from the Piper Alpha incident.
"The work on this project was supported by a number of companies, including Shell. In addition, a particular software analysis tool was developed with support from the industry, including Shell.
"This was fully disclosed to the selection panel, was considered by the panel and deemed not to constitute a conflict of interest. Advantica is not currently seeking work from Shell, and is in competition with Shell's own consultancy subsidiary for much of its business.
The company has not done any work on the Corrib project to date."