Corrib pipeline - Proposals should end gas dispute

The proposals made by the independent mediator Peter Cassells, former secretary general of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, to resolve the dispute over the Corrib gas pipeline have been generally welcomed.

The report adopts a sensible approach. It proposes that Shell modify the pipeline route to take account of residential safety, that it increase local employment in connection with the project, connect the pipeline to the nearby towns of Ballina, Castlebar and Knock, and that there should be a review of financial anomalies in compensation to local land owners, as well as more local consultation as the project proceeds.

The pipeline runs through the land of 34 owners and 28 of these have already given their permission. The multi-billion euro project is imperative not only to the local community but to the whole country, especially with the recent rise in energy prices.

Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey suggests that no matter what the company does to satisfy objections, somebody will still object. He argues that there should be no reason that the project should not go ahead once Shell meets all the safety requirements. That is a reasonable and sensible approach.