Mayo gas deal queried

THE GOVERNMENT will come under pressure in the Dáil today to explain the controversial circumstances surrounding a deal it struck with a major corporation to bring gas ashore from the coast of Co Mayo.

An investigation by Channel 4 News, broadcast last night, raised serious question marks over the State's plan for the controversial pipeline and inland terminal.

It claims there was pressure on locals to sign their property over to oil executives and that the terms of the deal struck with the Royal Dutch Shell Company were unprecedented in Europe.