Anti-pipeline TD rejects Govt's intermediary offer

Independent Co Mayo TD Jerry Cowley has dismissed the Government's offer to appoint a mediator to facilitate talks on the Corrib gas pipeline.

Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey made the offer last night, saying he was prepared to appoint an intermediary to help talks between local residents and the global oil giant Shell.

The announcement followed a move by Shell to defer work on the pipeline until next year.

Responding this morning, Mr Cowley said the minister had already appointed an intermediary to speak to the five residents who have been in prison for several weeks for obstructing work on the project.

However, he said the mediation effort was unsuccessful because Mr Dempsey was not prepared to order Shell to build an offshore terminal rather than an onshore pipeline.

"Until such time as Minister Dempsey directs Shell to go to sea, this saga is going to go on and on," he said.