Ryan rules out Corrib gas deal re-negotiation

ENERGY Minister Eamon Ryan has ruled out any chance of the Government renegotiating the Corrib gas deal with Shell and its partners after admitting any changes would damage Ireland’s reputation abroad.

Despite calls by groups for a share in the west of Ireland project, Mr Ryan defended the Government’s tax take on the controversial gas deal.

Most of the contracts around bringing the Corrib gas into the Irish market were signed, he said adding: “What we didn’t want to do and what the State is reluctant to, particularly when you’re dealing with corporation tax, is to start changing deals that you’ve already done.