Dempsey seeking legal advice on Corrib pipeline works

Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey is reportedly seeking legal advice about work on the Corrib gas pipeline carried out by the oil firm Shell.

Mr Dempsey wrote to the company earlier this month seeking details of work carried out without ministerial consent.

Reports this morning said he received a reply yesterday and was now seeking legal advice on the matter.

Shell has claimed that its decision to lay up to 3km of pipeline without consent was a "technical breach", but Mr Dempsey has described it as "very serious".