Construction of the onshore Corrib gas pipeline is now more likely to proceed after Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey approved a series of safety measures for the existing pipeline route.
The measures, including limiting gas pressure in the 9km onshore pipeline and modification of a "beach head isolation valve", are among the main recommendations made by the Minister's Corrib technical advisory group (Tag) - drawing from the final study undertaken by risk analysis consultants Advantica.
Accepting the findings, Mr Dempsey said Shell would have to undertake requisite additional work before further consents for the project were granted. He appealed to all parties to engage constructively - a reference to mediation, currently stalled and under the remit of former Ictu secretary general Peter Cassells.
Significantly, Mr Dempsey has agreed that monitoring of the pipeline's safety will no longer be undertaken by his department.
Instead, legislation will be prepared to allow the Commission for Energy Regulation to take responsibility for gas safety on upstream installations. It currently holds responsibility for downstream gas safety. His advisory group would retain monitoring for this project in the short term, he said.
The Minister said he would be implementing all the measures recommended within his power. He was "requesting Shell to undertake additional technical measures and provide the particular documentation outlined in the Advantica and Tag reports before further consents are given".
Mr Dempsey said he requested the reports because of the concerns relating to the safety of the onshore, upstream section of the pipeline expressed by people living in the community close to the proposed pipeline route. He said he had always accepted that these concerns were genuinely held. "I took them seriously," he added.
"If there is one thing that has clearly emerged from this exercise, it is that, no matter how well something may be designed and built, there must be regular, effective maintenance to keep it in good condition and there must be ongoing independent oversight of this to prove that this is happening," he stressed.
Advantica's findings, endorsed by the Tag, found that proper consideration was given to safety issues in the selection process for the preferred design option and the locations of the landfall, pipeline route and terminal.
"Provided that the recommendations are followed, we believe that the pipeline will be constructed to an appropriate standard and will be fit for purpose," the consultants said.
One of the key recommendations is that "steps should be taken to ensure that the pressure in the onshore section of the pipeline can never exceed 144 bar".
Corrib report: main points
No change to the route of the onshore Corrib gas pipeline through Rossport, Co Mayo, to the Bellanaboy terminal.
Further consents are subject to Shell accepting extra safety recommendations.
Pressure must be limited to 144 bar, which is still twice the pressure of a distribution pipeline.
A landfall isolation valve should be redesigned.
Future monitoring will be by the Commission for Energy Regulation, rather than the Minister's department.
The reports are on website http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/tag