Shell accused of breaching terms of Corrib construction

Noel Dempsey, the Natural Resources Minister, has accused the company behind the controversial gas pipeline in Co Mayo of breaching the consents given to it to carry out work at the site in Ballinaboy.

A letter sent to the chairman of Shell Ireland today, on behalf of Noel Dempsey, says that works, including the welding of parts of the pipeline, represent what he calls "a departure from the terms'"issued to the company.

Shell has been preparing to build a €300m gas terminal at Ballinaboy.

The letter follows a visit to the site by officials from the Department this week.

Mr Dempsey says the breaches are “very serious” and has called on Shell to respond immediately.