MINUTES OF MEETING OF PROJECT MONITORING COMMITTEE (PMC) HELD IN THE CIVIC OFFICES, BELMULLET, ON 3rd APRIL 2007 AT 11.00am.
Chairman: Mr. D. Mahon, County Manager
Present: Mr. Gerry Costello, SEPIL
Ms. Agnes McLaverty, SEPIL
Mr. Tony Doyle, SEPIL
Mr. Terry Nolan, SEPIL
Mr. Enda McDonagh, Bord na Móna
Mr. Nicholas Whyte, Community Representative
Mr. Gerard McDonnell, Community Representative
Mr. Paddy Mahon, Mayo County Council
Mr. Peter Hynes, Mayo County Council
Mr. Ciarán Ó hÓbain, Dept. CMNR
Sergeant James Gill, An Garda Síochana
Mr. Denis Strong, National Parks & Wildlife Service
Mr. Ray Smith, EPA
Mr. Vincent Roche, NWRFB
In attendance: Mr. John Coll, Director of Services, Mayo County Council
Ms. Muriel Finnerty, Mayo County Council
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the Project Monitoring Committee Meeting, held on 21st February 2007, and already circulated, were approved having been proposed by Mr. Costello and seconded by Mr. Whyte.
2. Matters arising
Mr. Coll updated the meeting on the current position regarding the selection of additional Community Representatives to the Project Monitoring Committee. Following a lengthy discussion in relation to the selection of candidates through either the medium of a public meeting, the postal voting system or co-option, it was agreed to seek nominations to the PMC by postal ballot and Mr. Coll agreed to undertake this process.
Mr. McDonnell thanked the Garda Síochana for the measures of support provided at the recent public meeting held in Glenamoy.
As a result of abuse directed at him at that meeting, he stated that he was not prepared to attend any further public meetings or take any phone calls form Shell to Sea Campaigners, and will only communicate with the group via e-mail or letter.
3. Water Quality
Mr. P. Mahon outlined the up to date position in relation to water quality in Carrowmore Lake as set out in report and results of analysis circulated to the meeting (copy of which are available on Mayo County Council’s website – www.mayococo.ie)
As a result of query raised by Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Doyle informed the meeting that relatively small quantities of sulphuric acid are being used in the Axonics process and this was noted by the Committee.
A query from Mr. Strong regarding an otter sighted in a stream coming off the terminal site was noted.
It was agreed that full details of monitoring would be included in future newsletters to be circulated to the community.
Mr. P. Mahon also updated the meeting on environmental issues at the Bellanaboy Site as set out in the report circulated to the meeting. In relation to a diesel spill on the Terminal site, Mr. Costello confirmed that this was caused by a generator on site. In relation to a diesel spill across the road from the Terminal entrance, Sergeant Gill undertook to pursue the matter if it is established that the diesel involved is from a source other than that of the recent spill on the Terminal site. The Chairman requested that the results, when available, would be circulated to the Members prior to the next meeting of the PMC.
In relation to query raised by Mr. McDonnell regarding undergrounding of Eircom cables in accordance with planning permission issued for the project, Ms. McLaverty undertook to have report available for the next meeting of the PMC regarding compliance with the planning condition.
4. Updates
· Roadworks / Transportation
Mr. Nolan thanked Mayo County Council for repair/rehabilitation works carried out on the R314 and L1204 haul road.
Mr. McDonagh outlined to the meeting the position on the Srahmore Peat Repository as set out in Environmental Management System Up-date No. 22 (copy of which is available on www.mayococo.ie ).
At the request of Mr. Hynes, Mr. McDonagh undertook to have the Annual Environmental Report which was submitted to the EPA on 30th March 2007, placed on the Bord na Mona website.
Mr. Costello updated the meeting on works undertaken at the Bellanaboy Bridge Site as set out in report circulated to the meeting, copy of which is available on www.mayococo.ie
Mr. Doyle also updated the meeting on environmental issues at the Bellanaboy Bridge Site as set out in the same report.
At the request of Mr. Whyte, Shell undertook to expand future reports circulated to the PMC on the Terminal Site to include details of works being undertaken and also those works proposed to be undertaken.
The Chairman requested that a report on the Community Fund be prepared and available for adoption at the next PMC meeting, following which advertisements will be placed in the newspapers with a view to dispersal of funds during summer 2007. He requested that this report be made available for the consideration of the Members of the PMC well in advance of the next Meeting.
Mr. Costello outlined the current position and indicated that Shell had completed the discovery process in relation to the Onshore Pipeline in February last.
8. Local Issues
Mr. McDonnell outlined local issues and suggested –
· More jobs for local people should be made available at the Terminal site.
· More support should be shown to local people who have not become involved with the Shell to Sea Campaign.
· Some form of investment is needed in the social / economic area for the district.
In reply Mr. Nolan indicated that –
· At present there are approximately 300 direct jobs created in the Erris area by Corrib with 85% being held by people from the Erris area.
· It has been emphasised to Contractors and Sub-Contractors the importance of using local labour.
· Some progress had been made on plans for social investment in the area and it is hoped to make an announcement in this regard in the next few months.
Mr. Coll undertook to make arrangements to have a quarterly newsletter distributed by An Post to the greater Erris/Killala/Crossmolina area.
Mr. Nolan informed the meeting that the resumption of peat haulage had commenced and he thanked everybody, especially the Garda Síochana and the Community Representatives for their support during what was, he stated, a very difficult period.
It was agreed that the next meeting of the PMC will be held in Belmullet Civic Offices on 16th May 2007 at 11.00am.
This concluded the business of the meeting.