MINUTES OF MEETING OF PROJECT MONITORING COMMITTEE (PMC) HELD IN THE CIVIC CENTRE, BELMULLET ON 18TH JULY 2007 AT 11.00am.

 

Chairman:                   Mr. D. Mahon, County Manager

 

Present:                      Ms. Agnes McLaverty, Shell E & P. Ireland Limited
                                    Mr. Gerry Costello, Shell E & P Ireland Limited

                                    Mr. Tony Doyle, Shell E & P Ireland Limited

                                    Mr. Nicholas Whyte, Community Representative

                                    Mr. Seamus Gaughan, Community Representative

            Garda John Flannery, An Garda Síochana
                        Mr. Ray Smith, Environmental Protection Agency
                        Mr. Enda McDonagh, Bord na Móna  

                                    Mr. Paddy Mahon, Mayo County Council Project Manager
                                    Mr. Peter Hynes, Mayo County Council
                                    Mr. Vincent Roche, North Western Regional Fisheries Board

Apologies:                  Mr. Gerard McDonnell, Community Representative

Mr. Denis Strong, National Parks & Wildlife Service

Mr. John Coll, Director of Services, Mayo County Council

                                   

In Attendance:           Ms. Muriel Finnerty, Mayo County Council

 

 

1.                  Minutes

 

The Minutes of the Project Monitoring Committee Meeting held on 16th May 2007 and already circulated, were approved having been proposed by Mr. Roche and seconded by Mr. P. Mahon.

 

 

2.                  Matters arising

 

There were no matters arising.

 

 

3.                  Water Quality – Carrowmore Lake

 

Mr. P. Mahon updated the meeting on the position regarding the water quality of Carrowmore Lake as set out in report and summary of analysis circulated to the meeting – copy of which is available on the Mayo County Council’s website – www.mayococo.ie 

Mr. Gaughan referred to algae in Carrowmore Lake and Mr. Hynes undertook to have the matter discussed at the next Mayo County Council Belmullet Area Meeting.  Mr. Smyth outlined the monitoring programme to be undertaken by the EPA on Carrowmore Lake under the Water Quality Framework Directive.

 

Item No. 9 – Channel 4 News Report concerning water quality in the Bangor region was also discussed at this stage and Mr. Hynes circulated graphs summarising the position – copy of which are available on www.mayococo.ie

 

 

4.         Updates:

·        Roadworks/Transportation

Mr. P. Mahon informed the meeting that the transportation of most of the peat was completed on 29th June 2007.  He also stated that the transportation of construction materials and plant to the site is continuing with the Haul Route being monitored regularly and repaired if necessary by Mayo County Council.

 

·        Bord na Móna

Mr. McDonagh indicated that the peat haulage has been completed and he updated the meeting on the Shrahmore Peat Repository as set out in report circulated to the meeting and available on www.mayococo.ie

 

The Chairman complimented all those involved in the peat transportation and suggested a visual recording of the process would be worthwhile.  Mr. McDonagh undertook to pursue this matter with the support of Shell.

 

 

5.         Update on Terminal

 

Mr. Costello outlined the position on works undertaken and also the outlook for July 2007 onwards at the Bellanaboy Bridge Site as set out in report dated 18th July 2007 circulated to the meeting  - copy of which is available on www.mayococo.ie    Mr. Doyle outlined the position on environmental issues at the Bellanaboy Bridge Site as set out in the report dated 18th July 2007 circulated and also available on www.mayococo.ie

 

 

6.         Environmental Issues

 

Mr. P. Mahon outlined the position on environmental issues at the Bellanaboy Site as set out in report available on www.mayococo.ie

 

7.         Community Fund

 

Five applications have been received for funding from the Corrib Gas Project Community Fund 2007 and it was agreed that the Evaluation Committee should be convened before the end of July 2007 to progress the matter.

The Chairman expressed the hope that matching funding could be obtained from other sources, i.e. the ESB Fund, Lotto Fund, etc. for each euro out of the Community Fund and it was agreed that proposals in this regard would be finalised for the September PMC Meeting.

 

 

8.         Court Cases

 

Mr. Costello indicated that Ms. Justice Mary Laffoy had issued a judgement on the High Court Hearing held on 16th January 2007 which allows Shell to discontinue its claims against opponents of the gas pipeline.

 

 

9.         Channel 4 News Report

 

This item was already dealt with.

 

 

10.       Local Issues

 

·        Undergrounding of Eircom cables

·        Replies from queries from the public

 

This item was deferred due to the unavoidable absence of Mr. Gerard McDonnell.  The sympathy of the Committee was extended to Mr. McDonnell on the recent death of his brother-in-law.

 

Mr. Whyte expressed thanks to Shell on his own behalf and on behalf of Mr. McDonnell for enabling them to travel to Holland recently to view various gas installations and he indicated that this was a very worthwhile visit.

 

 

11.       Any other business

 

Ms. McLaverty informed the meeting that following the peat excavation, it is proposed to review the format and frequency of geotechnical monitoring of the Terminal site.

 

 

Mr. Costello undertook to provide details of staff numbers employed on the project for future PMC Meetings.

 

 

It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PMC on 19th September 2007 in Belmullet.

 

This concluded the business of the meeting.