Govt makes new mediation offer in pipeline dispute

The Government has made a renewed offer to appoint a mediator in the dispute over the controversial Corrib gas pipeline in Co Mayo.

Five local men have been in prison for three months for refusing to obey a court injunction ordering them not to obstruct work on the pipeline.

Previous efforts to appoint an intermediary between the two sides have failed, but Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey last night proposed a new independent mediation process.

He called on both sides to "create the conditions" necessary to allow the process get underway.

This appears to be a call on Shell to lift the injunction it has taken out against the so-called Rossport Five.

The five men have previously refused to enter talks until the injunction is lifted and they are freed from prison.