24/01/2011

Corrib Pipeline May Deliver Jobs Boost

A decision on the contentious Corrib pipeline is to be made within weeks - with the possibility of a huge flow of jobs for the building trade if approved.

The Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan is expected to issue a decision shortly on Shell E&P Ireland's application to construct the last section of the Corrib gas pipeline.

Mr Ryan's decision will follow An Bord Pleanála's landmark ruling yesterday that approved the developer's revised plans for the onshore link.

Minister for the Environment John Gormley is also still considering a foreshore licence for the third pipeline route, which will run under Sruwaddacon estuary to the gas terminal at Ballinaboy.

If the company secures these approvals, it is expected to take between 18 and 24 months to build.

This will be a huge construction project promising thousands of jobs in the beleaguered sector.

A separate licence review of emissions from the Ballinaboy gas terminal is still with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

An overall project monitoring committee is also to be established by Mayo County Council, comprising two representatives for the developer, two for the local authority and four representatives from the Kilcommon parish.

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Department of Energy, the EPA and Bord na Móna will also be invited to provide one representative each.

Mayo County Council will monitor the conditions set by An Bord Pleanála, and the developer must maintain a complaints register at its Belmullet office.

Traffic management conditions for the construction phase include engagement of a traffic warden at the developer's expense to ensure the safety of schoolchildren.

(BMcC/GK)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 March 2002
Gas pipeline will increase electricity costs to consumers
Assembly member Seamus Close has branded the proposed gas pipeline as unaffordable luxury for the taxpayer. Mr Close a member of the Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was responding to the Minister of Finance and Personnel’s open letter to him on the proposed provision of a North/South and East/West Pipeline.
24 August 2001
Power plant gets the go ahead
The Government has given the go ahead to plans by Coolkeeragh ESB in the development of a new natural gas CCGT power plant on the outskirts of Londonderry. The £150 million project is expected to provide the cheapest electricity in Northern Ireland and is likely to be up and running by 2004.
16 December 2009
Pipeline Brings 200 Jobs
A new gas pipeline between Kerry and Limerick will result in the creation of 200 jobs in the region. The project has been welcomed in the area where construction jobs have dropped by over half.
11 December 2001
British Gas to raise gas prices in New Year
British Gas is set to raise domestic gas prices by 5.3 per cent in the New Year, increasing the average UK domestic gas bill by £17 per year. The company blamed the rise in costs due to the cost of buying wholesale gas almost doubling in the last year and a half.
01 March 2011
Corrib Gas Line Approved In Dáil's Last Gasp
A highly controversial document of consent has been signed on the last day of the term in office of the last Minister for Energy.