Corrib project fast-tracked by An Bord Pleanála
Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Centre for Public Inquiry (CPI) show that Shell complained delays with the project were costing it over €100 million. An Bord Pleanála assured the Government the project would be “afforded top priority”.
Shell executives met with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and two Government ministers in 2003 to discuss their concerns.
A week after the meeting, the company was granted a meeting with An Bord Pleanála’s chairman.
Shell subsequently modified its application and was granted permission. The CPI claimed yesterday the company had “unusual access” to the planning authorities.
Mr Ahern’s spokesman responded last night by saying An Bord Pleanála was an independent organisation. Shell said it “at all times conducted its relationships with all regulatory and Government authorities in an appropriate and official manner”.
The pipeline project has since been the subject of High Court proceedings and five local landowners, known as the Rossport Five, spent 94 days in prison because of their opposition.
The CPI, chaired by Justice Feargus Flood, released 120 pages of reports into the controversy yesterday, including a 40-page review from a US pipeline consultant and safety campaigner.
Richard B Kuprewicz, of consultancy firm, Accufacts Inc, concluded the threat posed by the pipeline to the people in North Mayo was “considerably understated”.
He said the pipeline, planned to run as close as 70m to some homes, should be at least 200m from any dwellings in order to “avoid massive casualties and/or multiple fatalities” in the event of an explosion.
He said the risk of explosion was underestimated.
Communications Minister Noel Dempsey is to receive a copy of the CPI reports.
The minister has already received the report of the State-commissioned safety review into the pipeline project from consultants, Advantica, expected to be published next week.
