Oral submissions by Mayo business people in support of the development of a gas terminal in Bellanaboy were restricted to certain issues by order of a Bord Pleanála inspector at a hearing yesterday.
The inspector, Mr Kevin Moore, said he had read the text of a submission by Mr Tom Farrell, chairman of the Energy Committee Council for the West and a manager in Connacht Gold Co-op.
He said he failed to see its relevance to the issues under discussion.
"I am directed by An Bord Pleanála to allow parties speak only on the four issues which are the subject of this reconvened hearing, namely possible alternatives, visual impact, peat removal and compliance with directives, so I do not intend to let you read into the record your issue, which appears to relate to 'need', as it is not relevant to the hearing," he said.
Mr Sean Hannick, chairman of Council for the West, submitted that if the gas terminal were to be located at an alternative site, the economy in Mayo would suffer.
"This is very relevant, especially to costs for industries in the region," he said.
Mr Pat O'Malley, president of the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation (IBEC), West Region, submitted that if the terminal was provided onshore in Mayo, rather than at an alternative site, numerous advantages would accrue to the region.
Hundreds of local people would be employed directly and indirectly once the plant was in operation, and a pipeline to supply Mayo with gas and a gas-fired generation station would follow.
"In summary, IBEC, Ballina Chamber of Commerce and the Mayo Industries Group support the gas-terminal project, which we see as making a very positive contribution to the Irish economy and Mayo in particular in the future," he said.
Objectors to the development protested vehemently at the submissions.
Mr Peter Sweetman, for Friends of the Environment, insisted on being allowed to cross-examine on the claims made regarding a gas pipeline for Mayo and job creations.
Mr O'Malley countered that a number of industries in Mayo, including Allergan Pharmaceuticals in Westport, were in talks with An Bord Gais about running a spur line into the gas grid.
Mr Moore said he was anxious to return to the issue of peat removal, which was a critical element in the proposed development.
A continuation of the cross-examination of expert witnesses by Mr David Ball, for ABP, followed. He requested detailed information regarding projections on rainfall, drainage and the settlement of manipulated peat and also raised issues on known peat slides which had occurred at specific locations in Ireland.
Mr Turlough Johnson, engineer for EEI, expressed confidence in the stability of the site on all points and said there was no evidence of bog failure at this location.
Mr Moore noted that historical records showed that north Antrim and west Mayo had the greatest record of bog failure in the country.
Earthworks and peat removal are to be examined further at the hearing, which continues today and is expected to conclude on Wednesday next.