CORRIB GAS DEVELOPMENT

Project Monitoring Committee

 

Minutes of the Project Monitoring Committee Meeting held on 14th May, 2008 at 11.00am in Áras an Chontae, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

 

Chairman:                   Mr. D. Mahon, County Manager

 

Present:                      Mr. Ray Smith, Environmental Protection Agency

Mr. Ciáran Ó hÓbain, Dept. CENR

Mr. Dick McKeever, Dept. AFF

                                    Mr. Michael Hughes, North Western Regional Fisheries Board

Mr. Richard Cosgrove, Bord na Móna

Mr. Denis Strong, National Parks & Wildlife Service

Mr. Kieran Lynn, Mayo County Council Project Manager

Mr. Peter Hynes, Mayo County Council

Mr. Brendan Butler, Shell E & P. Ireland Limited

Ms. Aoife Reynolds, Shell E & P Ireland Limited

Mr. Gerard McDonnell, Community Representative

Sgt. James Gill, An Garda Síochana

Mr. Gerry Costello, Shell E & P Ireland Limited

 

Apologies:                  Mr. Nicholas Whyte, Community Representative

                                    Mr. Tony Doyle, Shell E & P Ireland Limited

 

                                   

In Attendance:           Ms. Muriel Finnerty, Mayo County Council

 

 

 

 

1.                  Minutes

 

In relation to Item No. 5 of the Minutes of the Project Monitoring Committee Meeting held on 16th April 2008, it was pointed out that Mr.  Doyle and not Mr. Costello had outlined the position on environmental issues at the Bellanaboy Site.  This amendment was noted and the Minutes were then approved having been proposed by Mr. Hynes and seconded by Mr. Ó hÓbain.

 

 

2.                  Matters arising

 

There were no matters arising.



 

3.         Water Quality – Carrowmore Lake

 

Mr. Lynn outlined the position in relation to the water quality of Carrowmore Lake indicating that there had been no significant impact on water quality in the region due to the discharge of surface water from the Terminal Site.   The report on the position and summary of analysis circulated to the meeting is available on the Mayo County Council website – http://www.mayococo.ie/

 

Mr. Smyth informed the meeting that the EPA is currently undertaking year two of a three year cycle monitoring programme under the Water Framework Directive and he explained the details of this monitoring programme, indicating that it is expected to have data for all priority substances collated by the end of the year.

 

 

4.         Updates:

 

§         Roadworks/Transportation

Mr. Lynn informed the meeting that the transportation of heavy loads is continuing successfully with two-thirds of the programme undertaken to date.

§         Bord na Móna

Mr. Cosgrove outlined the position in relation to the Srahmore Peat Repository indicating that no non-compliances, complaints or incidents were recorded at the site since the last meeting of the PMC.   Details of the update are available on the Mayo County Council website - http://www.mayococo.ie/

 

Mr. Strong suggested that a Vegetation Monitoring Baseline of the peat depository site be prepared and this was agreed.

 

 

5.         Update on Terminal

 

Mr. Butler outlined details of the works undertaken to date together with the outlook from May 2008 onwards in respect of the Bellanaboy Bridge Site, as set out in report circulated to the meeting – copy of which is available on http://www.mayococo.ie/

 

 

6.         Environmental Issues

 

Ms. Reynolds updated the meeting on environmental issues relating to the Bellanaboy Bridge Site and indicated that independent Monitoring Consultants were engaged by SEPIL in order to investigate dust results – copy of Ms. Reynolds’ report is available on http://www.mayococo.ie/

 

Mr. Lynn outlined the position on environmental issues as set out in report on the Corrib Gas Development and available on http://www.mayococo.ie/

 

 

 

 

7.         Community Fund

 

The Chairman updated the meeting on progress to date on projects being carried out under the Community Fund.   In relation to the Bellanaboy Community Group Scheme, Mr. McDonnell indicated that local residents had written to SEPIL requesting that the Company would consider providing footpath along the perimeter fence and this was noted.

 

Mr. McKeever undertook to discuss the Bangor Angling Project with Mayo County Council prior to submission of planning application.

 

 

8.         Local Issues

 

§         Mr. McDonnell outlined the significant impact the provision of additional jobs for members of the local community had on the local area.

 

 

9.         Any other business

 

The Chairman, on behalf of the Project Monitoring Committee, conveyed best wishes to Mr. Andy Pyle on his retirement and also congratulated Mr. Terry Nolan on his appointment as Managing Director of SEPIL.

 

 

In relation to the appointment of a Vice-Chairman of the PMC, it was proposed by Mr. McDonnell and seconded by Mr. Costello that Mr. P. Hynes be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Project Monitoring Committee.

 

 

It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PMC in Áras an Chontae, Castlebar on 11th June 2008.

 

 

This concluded the business of the meeting.