North Mayo inshore fishermen have accused Enterprise Energy Ireland, the developer of the Corrib gas field, of failing to consult local interests over laying of the discharge pipeline from the onshore gas terminal out to sea.
The Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association says it intends to inform Shell, new owner of Enterprise Energy Ireland (EEI), that it will not co-operate with the company until there is "genuine liaison". It is also writing to the new Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, and to EEI headquarters in Dublin over the issue.
EEI denies the claim and says it is complying with the terms of the foreshore licence, which includes ongoing liaison with local groups. The licence was granted by the former minister for the marine, Mr Fahey, on May 17th, the day of the general election.
The dispute arose after a meeting between the fishermen and the company in Belmullet late last month when work on the pipeline was discussed. That work is due to start shortly, following granting of the foreshore licence. The company's plan of development has also been approved, but it is still awaiting several other key decisions, including a ruling from An Bord Pleanála on the planning application for the onshore terminal, at Bellanaboy Bridge.
The foreshore licence hinged on a report into the environmental aspects of the project, which was carried out by a group of technical, scientific and engineering specialists, known as the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC). Among the principal conditions laid down by the MLVC's report were that the outfall point for the discharge pipeline should be extended from the six-kilometre distance offshore proposed by the company to not less than 12 kilometres.
It said that the effluent should be treated using best available technology, subject to licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It said that Dúchas should be consulted on the methodology of pipelaying in Broadhaven Bay and that an environmental management plan be drawn up for the Minister's approval. It also recommended that the Minister should set up an environmental monitoring group in consultation with Mayo County Council.
The Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association maintains that the proposed 12 kilometre distance will not be sufficient to protect Broadhaven Bay and environs from the effects of heavy metal extracts. The fishermen had sought an extension of the pipe to the actual well-head 80 kilometres offshore - and had been prepared to consider a midway point as a compromise. The fact that the discharge pipe was to be extended further than the developers had planned suggested that potential damage was recognised, Mr Eddie Diver of the fishermen's association said.
At last month's meeting, the fishermen's association asked that the discharge pipe be extended an extra six kilometres from the 12 kilometre distance recommended. It also raised questions about the location of the diffuser at the end of the pipe, and said it was not satisfied with the answers it received from the company. "Broadhaven Bay is a spawning ground for herring and mackerel, and there will be environmental disturbance when the main pipeline from the sub-sea gas field is being laid to the shore as it is. We are concerned about the long term future," Mr Diver said, adding that compensation was not a central issue.
EEI has taken out advertisements in the fishing industry press giving details on the marine work, including the presence of five specialist dredging and excavation vessels which will be used to dig a trench below the seabed in preparation for laying the main pipeline from the gas field, 70 kilometres off the coast, to the shore terminal. A specialist pipelaying vessel will be deployed at a later stage.