Shell's only argument for Corrib, is that it will give Ireland 'security of supply'. However, this requires that Ireland bids against buyers in other countries and pay the full international rate. If the international price of gas were to double over the next decade, then the price that Irish consumers pay for gas will double. In the current economic situation, the Irish State will be forced to borrow money to buy back gas that was given to Shell for free.”
THE decision by An Bord Pleanála regarding planning permission for the controversial Corrib gas onshore pipeline will not be made until next month.
The board of An Bord Pleanála (ABP) are due to meet this week to discuss the application by Shell EP Ireland to modify the gas onshore pipeline route, but a spokesperson for ABP said the decision is unlikely to be made this week.
“There will not be any outcome this week,” a spokesperson of ABP told The Mayo News. “The board are to have further meetings on the application this week and it is expected that there will be an outcome on the issue on the week beginning November 2.”
The deferral is the second by the appeals board since the oral hearing earlier this year into the application for a new route and for compulsory acquisition orders to private land. The 19-day oral hearing chaired by inspector Martin Nolan considered the application under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
The new route runs through special areas of conservation designated under the EU habitats directive and includes two river crossings. The offshore pipeline was laid by the developers during the summer, and construction of the onshore gas terminal at Bellanaboy is nearing completion.
